$B 7M2 t.fl3
1
Co
i-^/)
^•f^
} 1 i
> 1 1
J J >
> » J
r c c c
I f t c t « c <
t C r f
C < C
C C I
(' c c
C I ( c c
^ccc tc<c
t c t c c
test
t c e c
c c
c
Lieut. -Colonel Berton W. Sibley
HISTORY OF THE THIRD
BATTALION
SIXTH REGIMENT, U. S. MARINES
COMPILED FROM THE OFFICIAL REC-
ORDS KEPT BY THE BATTALION
HISTORIAN— AND OPERATIONS
REPORTS COVERING ALL OF
THE ENGAGEMENTS IN WHICH
THIS BATTALION PARTICIPATED
*/*
Maps by the
Battalion Intelligence Section
Published by
AKERS, MAC RITCHIE & HURLBUT
Hillsdale, Michigan
1919
> »
' '■ " > :».' '.\» . >
1 >
D510
ht5
Copyright 1919 hy
AKERS, MAC RITCHIE & HURLBUT
All rights reserved.
CONTENTS
HALF-TONE
LIEUT.-COLONEL BERTON W. SIBLEY Frontispiece-
LIST OF OPERATIONS
VERDUN SECTOR (Toulon Sub-sector)
CHATEAU-THIERRY SECTOR
SOISSONS SECTOR
ST. MIHIEL SALIENT
CHAMPAGNE (Blanc Mont)
MEUSE-ARGONNE
MARCH TO THE RHINE
Page
8
11
31
5^
67
95
114
Ml.85161
PREFACE
After receiving numerous requests for copies of the
Third Battalion history, and after Sergeant Major
Robinson had written two sets of five copies each on
the typewriter it became evident that if every man
who wanted and deserved a copy of the history of
his battalion during the late war, secured one this
history would have to be printed. After a great deal
of thoughtful discussion Lieut. MacRitchie, former
Battalion Quartermaster and Lieut. Charles F. Hurl-
but, formerly of the 84th Company, both of whom
have been with the battalion throughout the major
portion of its history, convinced me that the history
not only can be printed and put out in convenient
form but that it is really a duty that the custodians
of the battalion records owe to the members of the
battalion.
With this thought in mind Lieut. MacRitchie, Lieut.
Hurlbut and myself formulated the plan and pre-
pared to put it through. A preliminary canvass of
the men aboard the Wilhebnina disclosed the wide-
spread desire for copies of the history among the
present members of the battalion. It is only reason-
able to suppose that it will be equally well received
by the other members of the Battalion who came home
ahead of us.
A history of this kind, to be of value, must be as
accurate as the exigencies of war permit. This ac-
curacy has been reached chiefly through the continu-
ous and untiring efforts of Captain David Bellamy,
former adjutant of the Battalion, who worked un-
ceasingly to make the operations report after each
engagement as accurate and complete as humanly
possible. As the history is largely a collection of these
operations reports our debt to Captain Bellamy can
be easily seen. The first operations report for the
period from June 1st to August 10th, was written
by Captain Bellamy and corrected and edited by
Major Sibley. The next report covered St. Mihiel and
was also written by Captain Bellamy, who wrote the
report for Champagne before he was evacuated to
the S. 0. S. with an advanced case of Influenza. After
the evacuation of Captain Bellamy it became my task
as his successor, to write the report for the Argonne-
Meuse and fill in the connecting matter and brief re-
port of the return and demobilization of the battalion.
The data for this I secured from my personal diary,
from the Battalion file of orders and from records
kept by Sgt. Ray E. Babcock, the Battalion historian.
This work is concise, has no elaborate descriptive
matter, and may appear to be unnecessarily cold, but
it is believed that the plain narrative with accurate
dates, hours and places will be the thing most desired
in the years to come, and that memory will supply
the cloak to cover these naked facts.
To Major Berton W. Sibley belongs the credit for
the supervision of the first operations report cover-
ing as it did the two largest operations the battalion
ever participated in. This ground work served as a
standard upon which all later reports and the history
itself were built and the entire work is dedicated to
him.
Herbert H. Akers
Chicago, ni., 1919.
. J J J
I ' - 1
HISTORY OF THE THIRD
BATTALION
The Third Battalion of the Sixth Regiment was
organized at Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia,
August 1, 1917, with Major Berton W. Sibley in com-
mand. The companies composing the battalion were
the 82nd, Captain Dwight F. Smith commanding ; the
83rd, Captain Albert R. Sutherland commanding;
the 84th, Captain Harry G. Bartlett commanding;
and the 97th, Captain Robert W. Voeth commanding.
The roster of officers at time of embarkation for over-
seas was as follows:
STAFF
Sibley. Berton W ? Major
Commanding:
HickB, Frederick I Second Lieutenant
Battalion Adjutant
84th Company
Bartlett. Harry G i. Major
Company Commander
Smith, Mark A First Lieutenant
Second in Command
Maynard, Charles B First Lieutenant
1st Platoon Commander
Mason, Horatio P First Lieutenant
4th Platoon Commander
Kalbflelsch, Edw. D Second Lieutenant
2nd Platoon Commander
Perklnson, Allan C Second Lieutenant
3rd Platoon Commander
4 HISTORY OF THE
82xid Company
Smith, Dwight F Captain
Company Commander
McFarland, Hugh . . .» First Lieutenant
Second in Command
Roberts, Charles D ■ Second Lieutenant
1st Platoon Commander
Bellamy, David Second Lieutenant
4th Platoon Commander
SmalLman, Clinton I Second Lieutenant
2nd Platoon Commander
Robinson, Caldwell C Second Lieutenant
3rd Platoon Commander
&7th Company
Voeth, Robert W Captain
Company Commander
Muckleston, Stanley M Captain
Second in Command
McEvoy, Thomas T First Lieutenant
1st Platoon Commander
Marshall, Ralph W ^ second Lieutenant
4th Platoon Commander
Moore, William B Second Lieutenant
2nd Platoon Commander
Skelton, Albert G Second Lieutenant
3rd Platoon Commander
63rd Company
Sutherland, Albert R Captain
Company Commander
Noble, Alfred H First Lieutenant
Second in Command
Holloday, Davis A First Lieutenant
. 1st Platoon Commander
MacRossle, Allan, Jr Second Lieutenant
4th Platoon Commander
Murphy, Richard W Second Lieutenant
2nd Platoon Commander
Timmerman, Louis F., Jr Second Lieutenant
3rd Platoon Commander
Organized with Company Commanders and senior
non-commissioned officers from the old Marine Corps
school of experience and junior officers and men from
the recruit depot at Paris Island, S. C. and Mare
Island, California, the training of the battalion for
service on the Western front began. This training
included close order drill, skirmish drill by platoon
and company, trench digging; erecting barbed wire
THIRD BATTALION 5
entanglements, signalling of all kinds, and rifle prac-
tice. The rifle and machine gun practice took place
on the newly completed Quantico Rifle Range. Prac-
tice marches and open warfare maneuvers were in-
terspersed with the specialty training and the men
hardened to the game which was to become their lot
in France.
At 9 :30 a. m., October 24, 1917, the battalion be-
gan its journey to France, travelling by train to
Philadelphia where the troops were embarked on
the U. S. S. Von Steuben, then lying at anchor in the
Delaware River off League Island.
At 5:00 a. m. October 25th, the Von Steuben
weighed anchor and sailed, arriving off Tompkins-
ville, in New York harbor, at 9 :00 a. m., October 26th.
Here the ship remained at anchor five days but no
one was allowed to go ashore and all mail was care-
fully censored. Absolute secrecy was maintained as
to the time set for departure and as to the destina-
tion. The remaining ships of the convoy, three trans-
ports, one armored cruiser (North Carolina) and two
destroyers, gathered within the next few days and at
7 :00 p. m., October 31, the convoy moved out on its
way to France.
The weather was unusually fair and all went well
until 6;13 p. m., November 9th, when, due to a mis-
understanding of orders, the Agamemnon and the
Von Steuben collided, making a large hole in the bow
of the Von Steuben. This occurred in the edge of
the submarine zone and the ships of the convoy were
ordered to separate and meet the following day. Af-
6 HISTORY OF THE
ter steaming all night alone at seven knots per hour,
her bow in the air, to keep the hole above the water
line, temporary repairs were made, the remainder
of the convoy was picked np and at noon the group
continued the trip at 15 knots. Later in the day ten
destroyers from the American fleet in European wat-
ers joined the convoy and the North Carolina turned
back for the United States. The journey through the
submarine zone was made without further accident
and early November 12th, land was sighted. At noon
the convoy dropped anchor in the harbor of Brest,
France.
While awaiting debarkation orders and transporta-
tion to the final destination the Battalion Commander
ordered one company ashore each day for a practice
march. November 17th the 83rd and 84th Compan-
ies with Battalion Headquarters paraded in Brest.
Early Monday morning, November 19th, the troops
disembarked and entrained in a French troop train
which left at 12:30 p. m. on the Chemin de Fer de
L'Ouest Southward, arriving at Lormont, France, a
suburb of Bordeaux, at midnight, November 20, 1917.
The Battalion here rejoined the regimental head-
quarters 73d and Supply companies and was assigned
to duty with the 18th Engineers building docks at
Bassens. The following detachments were deailed for
provost and engineer duty in the neighboring campa
and towns: Captain Voeth Provost Marshal Tours,
November 27-January 21; First Platoon, 97th Com^
pany. Provost duty. Tours, November 27-Janu'ary 21,
Lieut. Skelton in command; the 84th Company, Pro-
THIRD BATTALION 7
vost and fati^e duty La Corneau, December 18-
January 5th, Major H. G. Bartlett, commanding;
Lieutenant Marshall and twenty men from the 97th
Company, La Cortine December 8th to January 5th,
fatigue and provost duty; Lieutenant Timmerman
and 30 men, 83rd Company, Marche Prime December
6th to January 4th, fatigue duty ; Lieutenant Roberts
and 1st Platoon 82nd Company, Cenon, provost duty,
December 27th to January 6th.
The regiment was relieved by the 162nd Regiment
Inf. (Montana National Guard) on January 8th and
entrained January 9th, 1918, at Carbon Blanc for the
Second Division training area. After a three day
trip in 3rd class and box cars the troops were de-
trained at Damblain, Haute Mame, January 12, 1918
and marched to Chaumont-la-ville, a distance of five
kilometers. Here intensive training for trench and
open warfare began at once. This training was very
severe due both to strenuous schedule and the winter
season which set in in earnest about this time. How-
ever, gruelling as it seemed then, it so hardened the
men that they were able to bear up under the strain
of continuous fighting which later became the lot
of the Second Division. The schedule included hikes,
close order drill, extended order, bayonet fighting,
games, practice in both rifle and hand grenade throw-
ing, rifle range practice, storming trench systems,
taking strong points, defense against gas attacks and
all modes of signalling then in use. Steel helmets
were received shortly after arrival in this area and
included in the uniform for drill in order to accus-
8 HISTORY OF THE
torn the men to wearing them at all times when in the
line. A great deal of gas defense drill was included
in the schedule and men were required to shoot, march,
throw grenades and perform every possible duty with
the masks on.
In March, trench knives, extra clothing, etc. were
received and issued, preparations were made for stor-
ing extra baggage, and men only allowed to keep
what clothing they could carry in their packs.
Orders were received that the Second Division was
going in line just south of Yerdun for thirty days,
training under fire, and on March 14th the battalion
marched to Breuvannes and entrained for the front,
moving at 9:42 p. m.
HOLDING TRENCHES, VERDUN SECTOR
(Toulon Sub-Sector)
FIRST CASUALTIES
Arriving at Dugny, 10 kilometers from Yerdun,
at noon, March 15th, the battalion detrained and
moved out by companies as quickly as possible. Or-
ders were to clear loading platform within two hours
to avoid shelling.
After walking approximately 16 kilometers to the
support position of the Toulon sector, companies were
billeted in the following camps: 82nd Co., Camp
Richert and Camp Ronde Fontaine; 83rd Co., Camp
Marquenterre ; 84th Co., Camp Massa; 97th Co.,
THIRD BATTALION 9
Camp Fontaine St. Robert; Battalion Headquarters,
Camp Ronde Fontaine.
The battalion went into line in the C. R. M^ont-
sous-Ie^Cotes, sub-sector Bonchamp the evening of
March 18th, 82nd, 83rd, 84th Companies in line, the
97th Company in reserve at Camp Fontaine St.
Robert.
Being relieved March 28th by the 2nd battalion,
6th Marines, the battalion marched to Sommedieue
for billet, arriving at daylight March 29th. Ordered
to march on the 31st, 82nd and 84th Cos. and Bat-
talion Headquarters moved at dark four kilometers
to Camp Douzains; 83rd Co. going to Camp Somme-
dieue and 97th Co. going to Camp Eveche.
Remained here working on defenses, building en-
tanglements and digging trenches until April 7th.
At dark April 7th the battalion relieved the Sec-
ond battalion, 6th Marines in C. R.f Mont-sous-le-
Cotes, three companies in line and one in reserve.
Without incident until the night of April 20-21,
when Cermans after putting down a box barrage
around the outpost town of Villers, attacked P. P.*
*16 at 1 :00 a. m. with flame-throwers, grenades, and
knives, about thirty men being seen. This raid was
repulsed by rifle fire and grenades in the hands of
the men assigned to this post, the Germans leaving
two dead in our wire.
Relieved night of April 24th by 3rd battalion,
20th French. Marched to reserve position at Camp)
Chiffoure.
tCenter of resistance. •Petit post.
10 HISTORY OF THE
May 1, sent one officer and two NCO's. from each
company to 1st Corps Schools at Gondrecourt.
May 2 relieved the 1st hattalion, 6th Marines in
strong point Haudiomont with two companies in the
line, one in support and one in reserve at Camp
Chiffoure. Battalion Headquarters and support Co.
84th at P. C.t Bordeaux. The battalion spent a quiet
ten days in this sub-sector.
May 9th Lieut. Marshall and four NCO's. left to
secure billets in a new area.
May 13th relieved by a battalion of the 174th
Fl'ench. Marched to Haudainville, arriving at 2 :00
a. m. Remained here until 1 :00 p. m. May 14th when
battalion marched to Ancemont and entrained. De-
parted 6:30 p. m.
TRAINING
Arriving at Blesmes (Mame) at 3:30 a. m. May
15th, the battalion marched without breakfast to new
training area. Battalion ijHeadquarters, 83rd and
84th Cos. were billeted at Vavray-le-Petit, the 97th
Co. being billeted with Regimental Headquarters at
Doucey and the 82nd Co. in Vavray-le-Grande.
Training schedule was put into effect and followed
until May 19th. The 97th Co. was assigned as a load-
ing detail for the 2nd Division and proceeded to
Vitry-le-Francois May 16th.
On May 19th at 10 :00 p. m. the 82-83-84th Com-
panies and Battalion headquarters marched to Vitry-
le-Francois, a distance of 17 kilometers, arriving at
JPost de command.
THIRD BATTALION 11
4 :30 a. m. Breakfast was served at 5 :00 a. m. on
loading platform and entire battalion entrained and
left at 5 :30 a. m.
At 5:55 p. m. May 20tli, arrived at risle-Adam
and detrained, marching to Nesle-le-Ville, five kilo-
meters distant, for billets.
Marched at 8 :00 a. m. May 21st, arriving at Marines
at 4:44 p. m. where battalion billeted for the night.
May 22nd marched at 6 :(X) a. m., arriving at Mon-
tagny-en-Vexin at 10:30 a. m. and billeted together
with the 2nd Battalion, remaining there until May 31,
A training program including divisional terrain
exercise was carried out. Men were issued clothing
and equipment and the battalion was put in first class
condition in all respects.
OPERATIONS CHATEAU-THIERRY SECTOR
The 30th of May, 1918, found the Third Battalion,
Sixth Marines, stationed at IMontagny-en-Vexin.
Regimental Field Order No. 2, of that date contemh
plated a march movement to a new area to begin at
11 :00 a. m., on the 31st. The following order was
received at 6 :00 p. m. on the 30th :
''Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, A. E. F.,
France, 30 May 1918.
MEMORANDUM :
1. Advance information official received that this
Regiment will move at 10:00 p. m. 3C May by bus
to new area. All trains shall be loaded at once and
arran Clements hastened. Orders will follow. Wagons
12 HISTORY OF THE
when loaded will move to Serans to form train.
By order of Colonel Catlin:
F. E. Evans, Major, U. S. M. C,
Adjutant.
tf
Sometime after 10:00 p. m. same date, this regi-
mental memorandum was received:
*'The 3rd Battalion will take Camions at Serans
at 4 :45 a. m. tomorrow, 31 May, for 8 hour trip.
Destination Meaux."
At 3 :00 a. m. battalion left Monta^y for Serans
where a hot breakfast was served from the kitchens
which had been sent ahead. Camions were boarded
at 8:30 a. m. After a day and night in the tru<iks
Montreuil-aux-Lions was reached on the morning of
June 1st. After a few hours of rest the battalion,
started for the front along the Chateau-Thierry-La-
Ferte road. Outside of Montreuil the Battalion Com-
mander received verbal orders to take up a position
in the woods northeast of La Voie du Chatel. This
was done and the night spent there. The French in
front were falling back.
The next day, June 2nd, the companies were more
advantageously placed and an effort made to get in
better touch with the situation. Enemy shelling con-
tinued and that afternoon the battalion suffered its
first casualties on the Chateau Thierry front; two
men were killed and twelve men were wounded. At
about 5:00 p. m. the following order was received:
*'From: C. 0. 6th Regt.
At : P. C. la Voie Du Chatel.
THIRD BATTALION 13
To: C. 0. Third Battalion.
Be prepared send fresh Co. to LaCense Farm to
report Holcomb as reserve. German fresh Division
expected to attack American right with two regiments
north of Paris road and one south.
F. E. E."
The 97th Company was sent to report to Major
Holcomb in accordance with this order.
In accordance with regimental orders the night
of June 2nd was spent in the open field east of the
woods and north of the Voie-du-Chatel — Lucy-le-
Bocage road to escape the barrage it was thought
the enemy would put down on la Bois-du-Chatel at
night-fall. At break of day position was again taken
up in la-Bois-du-Chatel, this time along Champillon-
la- Voie-du-Chatel road. Heavy shelling during the
entire day which resulted in several casualties among
battalion scouts and 84th Company. About noon the
82nd Company w^as sent to re-enforce the front line
northeast of Champillon and east of point 142. This
company had several casualties, including four men
killed, while taking up position.
At dark Battalion Headquarters, 83rd Company
and one platoon of the 73rd Machine Gun Company
moved up and joined 82nd Company south of Torcy,
Major Sibley taking command of that portion of the
line running from point 142 for about one thousand
yards in an easterly direction. The line on this front
was in most places along edge of the woods, at some
points the enemy was in the same woods and about
fifty yards distant. The enemy artillery and machine
14 HISTORY OF THE
guns were active during the afternoon and night.
The next morning, June 4th, the Battalion Comman-
der further reconnoitered the situation and found
the French had left a portion of the line on our
right unoccupied. After a conference with Major
Shearer, a portion of the First Battalion of the Fifth
Regiment and some machine guns were sent to fill
the gap. The enemy artillery, machine guns and snip-
ers were active during the entire day but our casual-
ties were not heavy. The 84th Company which had
been left in la-Bois-du-Chatel suffered some casual-
ties from artillery fire. On June 5th conditions con-
tinued much the same as on previous day. The day
was spent in digging in and strengthening our posi-
tion. During the early morning hours the enemy
launched a mild attack but were repulsed by our fire
without serious losses to us. After daylight and dur-
ing the day enemy was seen from time to time and
our snipers reported to have done effective sniping.
About nine p. m. on June 5th the following order
was received:
C i
0. 0. 3rd Battalion.
Your battalion will be relieved sometime tonight
by Turrill's Battalion, when 82nd and 83rd Com-
panies are relieved you will proceed via Champil-
lon via present Regimental Headquarters to Ferme
Blanch where your Battalion will go in {i^eserve.
Orders will be given the C. 0. 84th Co. and 97th Co.
to report to you at Ferme Blanche. The platoon
73rd Co. will remain in place. Guide will be found
THIRD BATTALION 15
at Regimental Headquarters, Coloners office, to con-
duct you to Ferme Blanche, By order
F. E. E/'
8:05 p. m.
Will send in Spalding's rations by Ford with hia
runner on Ford."
At 3 rOO a. m. morning of June 6th the First Bat-
talion of the Fifth launched an attack through a por-
tion of our line, two platoons 83rd Company hold-
ing the line until they advanced, this attack brought
in fierce machine gun fire from the enemy but the
82nd and 83rd Companies were able to withdraw
without serious losses. By daylight on the morning of
the 6th the relief was completed. The day up to
3 :00 p. m. w^as spent at Maison Blanche Ferme on
the Chateau Thierry — La Ferte road, the Battalion
less 3 platoons, 97th Co. who joined us at about 5 :00
p. m. having assembled there. By 3 :00 p. m. the bat-
talion was under way in accordance with the follow-
ing order:
Headquarters, 4th Brigade,
Marine Corp, A. E. F., 6 June,
1918; 2:05 p. m.
FIELD ORDER
No. 2
MAP : MEAUX 49
1 :50,000
1. The enemy holds the general line Bouresches-
T orcy-Montecourt.
2. This Brigade attacks on the general line Bour-
esches-Torcy.
16 HISTORY OF THE
3. The attack will be in two phases:
To take the Bois de Delleau
To take R. R. Station Bouresches;
Bouresches villag'e; brook crossing (173.9-
264.1); Hill 126; Hill 133.
(a) Disposition of troops for the first phase.
The Bois de Belleau will be taken by the 3rd
Bn. 5th Marines (less 1 Co.) on the left and
the 3rd Bn. 6th Marines on the right. The
attack, first phase, wall be commanded by
Colonel Catlin, 6th Marines.
(b) Sector limits, 1st phase, left battalion:
Northern: 262.8
Southern: 261.2
Right Battalion:
Northern: 261.2
Southern: 260.8 .
(c) The 2nd Bn. 6th Marines will advance
its left to conform to the progress made by
the battalion on its left.
(d) Disposition of troops for the second
phrase. The position R. R. station Bouresches ;
Bouresches Village, Brook Crossing (173.9-
264.1) ; Hill 126; Hill 133, will be taken by
the 3rd Bn. 6th Marines, on the right, the
3rd Bn. 5th Marines, (less 1 co.) in the cen-
ter and the 1st Bn. 5th and 1 Co. each of
the 2nd Bn. and 3rd Bn. 5th Marines.
(e) Sector limits, 2nd phase:
3d Bn. 6th Marines.
Northern : Hill 181 ; R. R. Bridge.
(177.0-261.3)
Southern : Hill 138 southern end of Boure-
sches Village.
3rd Bn. 5th Marines (less 1 Co.)
Northern: Hill 133 to Bouresches-Torcy
Road at intersection with Y line at 176.
THIRD BATTALION 17
Southern: Hill 181; R. R. Bridge, (177.0-
261.3) exclusive.
1st Bn. 5th IMarines and 1 Co. each of 2nd
and 3rd Bus. 5th Marines.
Northern : Square Wood to brook crossing
(173.9-264.1) and Hill 126.
Southern: From right at present position
to Hill 133, exclusive.
(f) The attack of the center and right of
the second phase will be commanded by
Colonel Catlin, 6th Marines.
The attack of the left of the second phase
will be commanded by Lieut. Col. Feland,
5th Marines.
(g) the attack on the Bois de Belleau and
on the village and railroad station of Boure-
sches will be supported by the 77th (M.G.)
Co. The attack on the brook crossing'
(173.9-269.1) 126-133, inclusive, will be sup-
ported by the machine guns now with the 1st
Bn. 5th Marines.
(x) The artillery preparation will be made
in accordance with orders from the C. G.,
2d F. A. Brigade.
(y) The attack on Bois de Belleau will be-
gin at 5 p. m. The second phase will begin
as soon as the first phase has attained its
objective.
(z) Aviation will be ordered by the C. G.
21st Army Corps (French.)
4. The 2nd Bn. 5th Marines (less 1 Co.) will
constitute the Brigade Reserve in the woods
northwest of Lucy-le-Bocage.
5. The position when attained will be at once
organized to be held against counter-attack.
18 HISTORY OF THE
6. Trains will remain in place.
7. Brigade and Regimental P. C's remain in
place.
}7
There was no other information conceminsr the
enemy or the terrain and as there was no time for
scouting, the company commanders were shown the
above order, also their objectives on the map, and
were conducted to the line from which the battalion
would start the attack. The 82nd Company and 84:th
Company were in the front line — ^the 82nd Com-
pany being on the left of the ravine that runs from
Lucy-le-bocage to Bouresches and the 84th Company
being on the right of this ravine. The 83rd Company
was placed in support of the 82nd company and the
97th Company in support of the 84th Company, all
companies were in four wave formation. Company
commanders were informed that the Battalion Com-
mander and P. C. would advance along the ravine.
The attack started at 5 :00 p. m. and battalion ad-
vanced according to schedule until about 8 :30 p. m.,
when enemy artillery and machine gun fire became
so heavy that further advance was impracticable.
During this time the battalion had advanced about
two kilometers and had reached the edge of the woods
near Bouresches which was the first objective desig-
nated by the Regimental Commander for this Bat-
talion. The 82nd Company having been held up by
terrific machine gun fire from machine gun nests,
the 83rd Company had gone in to support it and
fought its way to a clump of trees about three hun-
dred yards northwest of Bouresches. In this vicinity
THIRD BATTALION 19
one platoon of the 83rd Company captured seventeen
prisoners, two machine guns and a quantity of am-
munition. These gnns were set up by them and used
with good effect upon the enemy.
Our casualties had been heavy but we had been
able to kill and wound many of the enemy. Two
' ' minnenwerf ers " and much ammunition had been
abandoned by the enemy on the ground passed over
by the 82nd and 83rd Companies.
The general situation in this attack is shown in
sketch ''A" attached. The two right companies ad-
vanced for the large part through open wheat fields
and were under constant observation and direct ar-
tillery and machine gun fire. The two left companies
were entirely in the Southern sector of Bois de Bel-
leau. They did not meet serious resistance, however,
until they came to the many machine gun nests that
were located in the high rocky crags in the south-
eastern portion of the woods.
Under orders previously received the second phase
of the attack, namely the capture of Bouresches, waa
not to begin until the Bois de Belleau had been freed
from the enemy, and this fact reported to Regimental
Headquarters. Consequently it was impracticable for
the two right companies to advance beyond the line
occupied by the two left Companies.
The 82nd and 83rd Companies, after having done
gallant work in reducing several of the machine gun
nests, were unable to press the advance with the men
remaining, consequently at 8:30 all companies were
ordered to dig in.
20 HISTORY OF THE
At 8:45 p. m. the following message was sent to
Hegimental Commander:
''From: 3rd Bn.
At: P. C.
Date : 6-6-18 Hq. 8 :45 p. m.
To: Regimental Commander.
Unable to advance infantry further because of
strong machine gun positions and artillery fire. Have
given orders to hold present position at far edge of
woods. Losses already heavy. Await instructions.
(Signed) Sibley.''
The Battalion P. C. at this time was in the ravine
•about 150 yards from the east edge of the woods.
Word was received from Commanding Officer 2nd
Battalion, 6th Marines at about 10 :45 p. m. that a
detachment of the 96th Company had entered Bour-
^sches from the east and was in urgent need of re-
enforcements. Information had been received about
thirty minutes before that Colonel Catlin had been
wounded in the first hour of the engagement. Lieut.
Col. Lee's P. C. had not been located by our runners
and, in the absence of any communication with the
Regimental Commander, Major Sibley ordered the
84th and 97th Companies to advance from their
positions in the field into the town of Bouresches.
The 82nd and 83rd Companies held their positions
and continued to dig in. The Battalion Headquarters
remained in the ravine near the 82nd and 83rd Com-
panies. The 84th and 97th Companies, not meeting
with any resistance from the enemy arrived in Bour-
esches at about 11 :40 p. m. and entered the town.
THIRD BATTALION 21
These companies were assigned positions by the sen-
ior officer present and proceeded to dig in.
During the night of 6-7 Major Fox arrived with
two companies of the 2nd Engineers and was assigned
to a position in rear of the 82nd company.
There was great difficulty with communications
during this time. The telephone line was frequently
shot out and runners encountered gas in the area be-
tween hxiGy and the Battalion P. C. Water was avail-
able only by being carried in canteens along the diffi-
cult ravine that led to Lucy. Some rations were
dumped there also but owing to Scarcity of men only
a few could be carried into the woods. The two com-
panies in Bouresches were able to get some rations
by Ford trucks during the night. Ammunition con-
sisting of Chauchat, Springfield, pistol, flares and ai
very few grenades were brought up. The engineers
also brought tools.
During the night of 6-7 the Bois de Belleau was
under lively artillery fire most of the time. The gas
from high explosive shells was very distressing. Early
in the day of June 7 the Battalion Commander made
a reconnaissance of the front line positions and made
readjustments of certain of the units bo as to afford
better protection against the enemy who held strong
positions in our woods just to the northeast of us.
The 80th Company under Captain Coffenberg which,
had taken up a position in rear of the Battalion P. C,
astride the Lucy-Bouresches road was ordered into
a support position in the southwestern comer of Bois
de Belleau. The mornins: of the 7th the Battalion
22 HISTORY OF THE
P. C. was moved 150 yards to the rear and the Bat-
talion Adjutant was sent to Regimental and Brigade
Headquarters to explain the general situation, and
to tell of the exhausted condition of the men. No
sleep had been possible the previous night and hot
food had not been had for eight days. The enemy
also held dangerous and harassing positions well on
our left flank.
The day passed rather quietly except in the after-
noon when a lively artillery bombardment of the
woods occupied by us was made. The Battalion Quar-
termaster, Lieut. McFarland, and three of his men
were severely wounded on the Bouresches-Luey road
while under orders to take rations to Bouresches.
Early in the afternoon the Battalion Commander
received word that the Battalion would make an at-
tack the next morning at 4 :00 a. m. The Major was
sent for by the Brigade Commander and there given
definite instructions.
At 11 :30 p. m. the enemy attacked our positions
with a strong force and put down heavy artillery and
machine gun fire on all our positions. Our losses were
comparatively slight, mostly from artillery fire. The
enemy, however, it was afterward learned from pris-
oners and from observation of dead bodies, suffered
very heavy losses from our fire. The 83rd Company
on the eastern edge of the wood did very effective
work with automatic riffles and .o/apturied enemjy
machine guns upon large body of Germans who were
attacking Bouresches from the North. These assaults
broke down before they reached our lines.
THIRD BATTALION 2S
Orders had been given to the Company Command-
ers the night of the 7th relative to their positions
in the attack on the morning of the 8th of June. They
were to be in position at 3 :00 a. m. The 82nd Com-
pany was on the right with its right resting on the
southeast comer of the woods. The 83rd Company
was on the left of the 82nd Company. Both of these
companies were in four waves. Two platoons of the
SOtli Company were in support with instructions to
protect the left flank. A detail of the 2nd Engineers
was detailed to protect the right flank and to ad-
vance in rear of the right of the 82nd Company along
the eastern edge of the woods, the remaining en-
gineers and two platoons of the 80th Company were
held in reserve. The 83rd Company was withdrawn
into the woods from its advanced position in time
to get into line.
The attack was preceded by a short bombardment
by Stokes Mortars. The Stokes Mortars belonged to
the Stokes Mortar platoon of the Headquarters Com-
pany, 6th Regiment, and had been brought up and
placed in position during the night. This bombard-
ment did not prove to be very effective on account
of the density of the forest and the consequent diffi-
culty in observing the fire.
The attack began as scheduled. The machine gun
nests were soon encountered and it was found that
they were well fortified in the rocks and held an
exceedingly strong position. The fire from these
machine guns was terrific. They were also well sup-
plied with hand grenades. This fire cost us heavy
24 HISTORY OF THE
<jasualties but we were able to capture four machine
rguns and to kill many of enemy who were garrisoned
in this machine gnn nest.
Much execution was done by automatic rifles.
Bombs were scarce. The rifles played the most im-
portant role and some enemy were also killed by the
bayonet.
Hard fighting continued until about 8 :30 a. m.
"when the Battalion Commander found from personal
observation and from reports made to him that the
■enemy had many machine guns placed in a series of
strong points or forts in such manner that one
flanked the other. Four of these strong points were
located and two surrounded by our men.
The Battalion Commander being on the ground
at the time became convinced that he could not carry
these forts without artillery preparation even by ex-
pending all his forces. He decided to hold the ground
gained by withdrawing his men sufficiently to gain
cover and dig in. Accordingly the Commander of
the 83rd Company was directed to hold his position
while the rest of the forces were withdrawn and
placed in the holes and trenches which had been con-
structed. The 83rd Company was then placed on
the left of the 82nd Company and preparations made
to hold this position at all costs. The Engineers and
the 80th Company were again placed in support posi-
tions. These movements were completed at about
11 :30 a. m. Reconnaissance was then made of all im-
mediate surrounding country and a report made to
THIRD BATTALION 25
the Brigade Commander through a Brigade Staff
officer who came to get an estimate of the situation.
During the afternoon of the 8th we were heavily
shelled by enemy artillery which caused some casual-
ties, the heaviest losses being borne by some of the
platoons of the 80th Company. In the early morning
of the 8th the 97th company w^as moved to woods
about one kilometer southeast of Bouresches. One
platoon of the 97th Company was sent to re-enforce
the rest of this Battalion in the Bois de Belleau and
they were placed in support near the 80th Company.
The afternoon of the 8th word was received from
Brigade Headquarters that the enemy machine gui|
nests which had not been captured would be sub-
jected to our own artillery fire and that our line on
the left front should withdraw slightly in order to
avoid endangering our own men. The following mes-
sage was then sent :
''Hq. Third Btn. 8 June 1:55 p. m.
To: C. G. 4th Brigade.
Will have men under cover for artillery fire south
edge of woods within 125 yards of edge by" 3 :00 p. m.
Regret to report officers and men are too much ex-
hausted for further attack or strong resistance until
after several hours' rest. Enemy shelling our posi-
tion now. Damage not serious at present.
(Signed) Sibley.'
) 1
In accordance with instructions the 83rd Company
and Engineers withdrew slightly in the direction of
the ravine. Cossack posts, however, were left some-
what in advance. Ammunition was received during
26 HISTORY OF THE
the day. Cold rations were carried in from Lucy.
The following message was sent regarding difficulty
of rationing Battalion:
"Hq. 3rd Btn. 8 June; 2:10 p. m.
To: C. 0. 6th Regt.
Enclosed message is reply to message received di-
rect from Brigade Commander. Please consider mat-
ter of relief and hot food for Battalion. All much
exhausted. Capt. Coffenberg, 80th Co., reports his
Co. has had very little to eat during the last two
days and has no rations at present.
(Signed) Sibley.''
'*Hq. 3rd Btn. 8 June; 2:10 p. m.
To: Lt. Col. Lee.
Through some error the 83rd Co. received no ra-
tions today. Also have had none today. Is it pos-
sible to get something to them today?
(Signed) Sibley."
At 8 :30 p. m. orders were received from Regimental
Headquarters that this Battalion would be relieved
by the first Battalion of the Sixth Regiment. Later
instructions, however, provided for no relieving Bat-
talion to take our positions. These were to be vacated
entirely in order that our artillery might have a free
hand in reducing the enemy machine gun nests. This
Battalion with the exception of the 84th Company
assembled at daylight on the morning of the 9th in
Bois de Platiere, approximately two kilometers south
of Marigny. The Battalion was then in Corps Re-
serve. The 84th Company was not relieved from its
position in the woods Southwest of Bouresches until
the night of June 9-10, when it joined the Battalion.
THIRD BATTALION 27
Here we received our first hot food since the 31st
of May. All men were given a chance to clean up
and some new clothes were issued. On June 9th Bat-
talion received replacements of six officers and 128
men. At 7:00 p. m. June 11th the following order
was received.
"From: C. G. 4th Brigade.
At: P. C. June 11; Hour: 6:00 p. m. No. 7
To CO. 3rd Bn. 6th Marines.
Your Battalion is relieved as Corps Reserve and
detailed as the Brigade reserve. It will proceed at
dark tonight to the woods just northwest of Lucy-le-
Bocage. 174.0-261.5.
(Copy to C. 0. 6th) (Signed) Harbord."
The Battalion arrived at the Brigade reserve posi-
tion at 1 :00 a. m., June 12th. During the day of
June 12th the woods were shelled ; casualties five men
wounded.
At dark on the night of June 12-13, the Battalion
relieved the first Battalion of the 5th Marines, taking
over its positions northeast of Hill 142 as shown on
the attached sketch "B." One hundred and twenty-
five replacements and two officers were received at
this time. This sector was held until the night of
15-16 during which period Battalion was attached
to Fifth Regiment. There was shelling at intervals
but very few casualties. The positions were improved
and wire was put up. On the night of the 15th-16th
the First Battalion of the 174th French Infantry
relieved this Battalion which then proceeded to the
Bois de Platiere at point 170.0-259.5 where it re-
28 HISTORY OF THE
mained as Divisional reserve "antil the night of June
21-22.
"While in this position a few new clothes and some
equipment were issued and the Battalion was sent
to the Mame at St. Aulde for bathing.
On the night of June 21 Battalion relieved the
Third Battalion, 5th Regiment as Brigade reserve
in woods about one kilometer northwest of Lucy-le-
Boeage.
On night of June 22-23 Battalion relieved Second
Battalion 7th Infantry in southeast corner of Bois
de Belleau. The 97th Company less one platoon, 84th
and 82nd were placed in the line from right to left.
The 83rd and one platoon of 97th in support. The
Battalion was shelled while making relief, casual-
ties were five wounded and one killed.
The Battalion stayed in this position until June
29th. During stay here wire was put up across the
entire front. The enemy shelled woods daily result-
ing in forty-five casualties. While in this position
frequent night patrols were made and the Battalion
Scouts did some sniping with good results. The ra-
tions were much better than on former stays in the
trenches. The men were often able to get hot beans
in addition to the usual cold ration. The Red Cross
and Y. M. C. A. gave all companies an issue of choc-
olate, tobacco and cakes almost daily. This issue
served to raise the morale of the men.
At 7 :00 p. m. night of June 25th, the Third Bat-
talion, Fifth Regiment, which was on our left, made
an attack. Lieut. Garrett with two platoons of the
THIRD BATTALION 29^
83rd Company were sent as support for this attack.
These platoons supported the attack on the right and
were returned to this Battalion early on the morning
of June 27th. During the day, June 26th, this Bat-
talion sent approximately twenty-five men to the
Third Battalion of the Fifth Regiment to be used
in taking prisoners to the rear. These men were re-
turned by daylight on the morning of June 27th.
On the night of June 29th, the Battalion was re-
lieved by First Battalion, 6th Regiment. The Bat-
talion proceeded to Bois-de-Gros Jean on the east side
of the Paris-Metz Road, two kilometers north of Mon-
treuil. Battalion remained in this position until
July 5th.
On July 2, 1918, eighty men and four officers left
Battalion for Paris to take part in Fourth of July
parade of American Soldiers. While in Bois-de-Gros:
Jean the Battalion was issued some new clothing and
equipment. All of the men were given a bath in the
Mame.
On the night of July 5-6 Battalion was relieved
by Third Battalion, 103rd Infantry. Upon being re-
lieved this Battalion proceeded to a point in woods
eight hundred yards north-northwest of town of
Bezu-le-Guery. The Battalion was then told to oc-
cupy a portion of the Army line assigned to this
Division, to the right and left of Bezu-le-Guery. On
July 6th Battalion P. G. was moved into town of
Bezu-le-Guery. The 84th Company on the left and
the 97th Company on the right were placed in posi-
tion along the army line to the North of town. These
30 HISTORY OF THE
companies covered two kalometers of the line. The
82nd and 83rd Companies were held in reserve about
one kilometer in rear of the line. Battalion remained
in this position until the 8th of July, during which
time work was done improving the trench system. On
July 6th, the Paris detail returned. This Battalion
was relieved by the First Battalion, 6th Regiment
on afternoon of July 8th and proceeded to Nanteuil-
sur-Mame where we were held in reserve for A2*my
line. While at Nanteuil drill was conducted in small
groups and swimming instruction was given daily.
On the afternoon of July 13th the Battalion moved
to Bezu and relieved 2nd Battalion, 6th Regiment
on the Army line to the north of Bezu. The 82nd and
83rd Companies were put into line and the 84th and
97th Companies were held in reserve one kilometer
in rear of the line. While here work was done im-
proving the trench system.
The total casualties for this Battalion while in the
Chateau Thierry Sector were one officer and eighty-
one men killed; thirteen officers and two hundred
eighty-two men wounded, two officers dying of
wounds after reaching hospital; and twenty-five men
missing. When the Battalion went out into the woods
as Corps Reserve a careful check was made and the
casualties during recent fighting were 42 per cent
officers and 40 per cent enlisted men.*
♦This casualty is taken from message written on the
field at the time and has not been revised. It is, however,
approximately correct.
THIRD BATTALION 31
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS SOISSONS SECTOR
In accordance with instructions from Regimental
Headquarters at 6 :00 p. m., July 16th, this Battalion
moved to Nanteuil where they entrained in camions
at 11 :00 p. m. and rode all night and until noon
July 17th when Battalion was put down from camions
by order of the French officers in charge at the cross-
roads at point 135, one kilometer southwest of Bras-
soir. (Soissons Map) The Battalion rested in the
field while its commander rode ahead in an effort
to secure orders and gain information about the situa-
tion. Not finding other headquarters he was able
from Corps Headquarters to get orders to bring the
Battalion into the Foret-de-Retz from the west via the
Brassoir railway station. The march was begun at
3 :00 p. m. At 4 :00 p. m. as the Battalion was about
to enter the forest, Lieut. Marshall, Battalion Scout
Officer, joined it, having gone ahead for information
and succeeded in locating Division Headquarters. He
reported that regiment was to participate in an at-
tack the following morning.
The march was continued into the forest and at
about 6 :00 p. m. temporary Regimental Headquarters
was located and passed. Orders were received then
from the Regimental Commander to push on to the
vicinity of Cross Christine (Point 168.2-268.3 Villers-
Cotterets map) and bivouac there. This position
was reached in a violent thunderstorm at 11 :20 p. m.
The march had been rendered difficult by the extrem.e-
ly congested condition of the roads owing to the for-
32 HISTORY OF THE
ward movement of all manner of military transporta-
tion. The Regiment was then in Divisional reserve
for the general allied attack which was to begin
the next morning at daylight. The Battaliofi biv-
ouacked at that point and took what rest it could xm-
til violent allied artiller^^ action at daybreak in sur-
rounding forest gave notice that the attack had be-
gun. Orders were received at 9 :15 a. m. from Regi-
mental Headquarters to be on the alert and be pre-
pard to move forward. The order came at 11 :45 a.
m. to move to Verte Feuilleferme, 3.9 kilometers to
the southeast. There the Battalion rested until orders
were received about 6 :00 p. m. to move to the
vicinity of the Beaure Paire Ferme about 3 kilo-
meters to the southeast. This Battalion bivouacked
for the night of July 18-19 in the woods
near the point 129, one kilometer south of Beaure
Paire farm. Up to this time Battalion had been
subjected to little hostile fire and there had
been no losses. During the day advance had been
made four kilometers over what had been previously
occupied by the Germans and this was still two kilo-
meters behind the new battle line. Many hundreds
of prisoners had been seen passing to the rear and
the tremendous amount of traffic on the roads of all
descriptions indicated the large support that might
be expected in our attack. Officers and men were
in high spirits and eager to take their part in the
work of the advance.
Major Sibley was called to Regimental Headquar-
ters in the field south of Beaure Paire farm about
THIRD BATTALION 33
4:25 a. m. the next morning, July 19. There it was
explained to him that this Regiment would attack
the German line east of Vierzy that morning. He
was given a map and ordered to report mth the Bat-
talion to the Regimental Commander at Vierzy. The
First Battalion was to attack on the right of the Regi-
mental sector, the Second Battalion on the left withi
the Third Battalion in reserve. It was understood
that the hour set for the attack was 8:00 a. m. with
previous artillery preparation. Battalion was put in
march as soon as possible, congested roads and the
fact that it had to halt to permit the two Bat-
talions going into the front line to pass, prevented its
arrival in the town of Vierzy until about 8:15 a. m.
The First and Second Battalions were at that time
forming for the attack. Verbal instructions were re-
ceived from Regimental Commander at his Head-
quarters, which were then established under a cliffi
in the southeastern edge of the town of Vierzy, that
this Battalion should follow the advance of the other
two Battalions at a distance of about one thousand
yards and to be in a position to support the other
battalions. Company Commanders were called to-
gether, the situation explained and the objective of
the Regiment pointed out to them on the one avail-
able map. They were also informed that the Bat-
talion P. C. would advance to the eastward along a
designated trail.
There being no cover available, the companies im-
mediately began taking their positions in the open
wheatfield under aerial observation and subjected
34 HISTORY OF THE
to shell fire. Each company was in four lines (lines
of combat groups), the 97th Company on the right,
the 84th right center, the 83rd left center and the
82nd on the left.
The P. C. of the Battalion was established at about
9:00 a. m. in the eastern end of the ravine, half a
kilometer due east of point 112 and all companies
notified of this. At that time and place the follow-
ing organizations reported to IMajor Sibley for duty
and support. One platoon each from the 73rd and
81st machine gun companies and also the 15th and
77th machine gun companies complete. The Regi-
mental Headquarters Company reported, less certain
signal groups -and other details. The Stokes mortar
and one pounder platoons were without their Stokes
mortars and 37mm. guns as these had been left with
the Regimental train which had not arrived from
Nanteuil. The detachments from the 73rd, 81st and
Headquarters companies were placed in the ravine
in rear of the Battalion P. C. Machine gun com-
panies were directed to take cover in Vierzy and
hold themselves in readiness.
By 9 :15 a. m. all companies of the Third Battalion
had reported in position.
At about 9:45 a. m. the following message waa
received :
*'From: C. 0. 6th Regt.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918 — 8:55 a. m. No. 5 by runner.
To: C. 0. 3rd Bn.
Upon arrival of the attack on the line now held
THIRD BATTALION 35
by our troops about one and one-half (Ij^) kilo-
meters east of Vierzy, you will be succeeded by the
1st Bn. 2nd En^s. as reserve. You will then re-
inforce the line in the center between the 1st and
2nd Bns. two Cos in the line in waves and two in lo-
cal support. (Signed) Lee."
Upon receipt of this message the 84th Company
was sent to re-enforce the left of the First Battalion
and the 83rd Company to re-enforce the right of the
Second Battalion, it being understood that there was
an uncovered gap between the two battalions. The
97th and 82nd Companies remained in support. The
following message was then sent to Colonel Lee:
''From: Hq. 3rd Btn. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 18—9 :50 a. m.
To: C. 0. 6th.
Attacking line is moving forward. No details re-
ceived. Have sent 84th company to reinforce left
of first battalion and 83rd company to reinforce
right of 2nd Btn. 97th is in position on right of 84th
with orders to hold that position as support. 82nd
company is in a position on left of 83rd company
with orders to hold that position as a support. My
P. C. is now at the east end of ravine just east of
cemetery. Expect to advance along road to the east-
ward. Headquarters company and two M. G. pla-
toons are in same ravine with me. 15th and 77th.
M. G. Companies are in vicinity of cemetery.
(Signed) Sibley"
At 10:10 a. m. these messages were sent:
36 HISTORY OP THE
**From: Hq. 3rd Btn.
At: P. C.
Bate: 19 July 1918—10:10 a. m.
To: Noble (83rd Co.)
Keep in touch with Karstaedt on your right so as
to fill any gap that may occur between the 1st and
2nd Btns. Move into line with those Btns. at once.
(Signed) Sibley"
*'From: Hq. 3rd Btn.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918—10:10 a. m.
To: Karstaedt (84th Co.)
Keep in close touch with Noble on your left so
as to fill any gap between the 1st and 2nd Btns.
Move up into line with those Btns. at once.
(Signed) Sibley'
,' >
Necessary movement of runners and scouts in the
vicinity of our P. C. and observation from low fly-
ing enemy planes soon brought down a very heavy fire
from the enemy artillery upon the ravine in which
P. C. was located. Several of these high explosive
shells landed directly in the ravine and caused rather
heavy casualties among the Battalion Scouts, Head-
quarters Company and some of the machine gun units.
Some machine guns were put out of commission.
By 10:30 a. m. the 84th and 83rd companies, sent
forward to re-enforce the first and 2nd Battalions
had joined the first line and were participating in
the attack. Reports from the Scout Officer who had
been sent forward about 9 :10 a. m. and had established
an observation post at the point where the Battalion
P. C. was later established, indicated that the ad-
THIRD BATTALION 37
vanced line was at that time (10:30 a. m.) two kilo-
meters east of Vierzy. The Scout Officer's report
also stated that the troops were being subjected to
very heavy direct enemy artillery fire and to the
cross-fire from numerous German machine guns ad-
vantageously placed in the woods to the front and
flanks. During this time nothing was heard from our
own artillery.
At about 10:40 a. m. reports came from both the
84th and the 83rd companies that they had suffered
very heavy casualties, at that time estimated to be
over sixty per cent, and that further advance was
almost impossible without re-enforcements. Liaison
between adjoining companies was maintained but
was rendered extremely difficult because of the open
country and the activity of snipers, machine guns
and direct artillery fire. At about 10:45 a. m. the
Battalion P. C. began moving to cross-roads about
200 yards south of the point 8160. At 10:55 a. m.
the follov/ing message was sent:
''From: Hq. 3rd Btn.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918 — 10:55 a. m. by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th.
Your message saying your P. C. moving just re.
ceived. My P. C. at that point at present. Am look-
ing for another one. Shelling in this vicinity now.
(Signed) Sibley."
Shortly after 11:00 a. m. a runner from the 83rd
Company Commander reported that the 83rd com-
pany was held up by a machine gun fire on the left.
38 HISTORY OF THE
The g-eneral situation on that flank appeared to be
serious and the 82nd company, held in support, was
ordered to re-inforce the front line, advancing east-
ward along the line taken by the 83rd company,
(left center), and to connect up the line between
that company and the 2nd battalion.
On the right the 84th Company, after suffering
heavy casualties, dashed across the remaining open
space and occupied a strong point in the woods half
a kilometer north of Tigny. The company commander
having been evacuated, what was left of the com-
pany was now led by Lt. Mason. Twenty-six men,
including 1 officer, 4 machine guns, 1 trench mortar
and a projector ;were captured. The position taken
was an unusually strong one and as shown by in-
formation subsequently received was considered by
the enemy an important strong point. Just prior ta
this the reports received from the 84th company
and from the 1st Battalion indicating heavy casual-
ties, caused Major Sibley to order the 97th company
from a support position into the line with orders
to re-inforce the left of the first battalion and con-
nect up with the 84th company.
At that time the town of Tigny was still held by
the Germans and, according to report received from
Major Hughes of the first battalion, nothing less
than a regiment would be able to drive them out.
The following message was sent to Col. Lee, the
Regimental Commander:
THIRD BATTALION 39
''From: Hq. 3rd Btn. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918, by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th.
Scout officer has just returned from Major
Hughes. Says that Hughes is in a cut in road whose
co-ordinates are 285-178.9 and that he has but about
100 men left. 97th as well as 84th have reinforced
him and they are nearly all casualties. Germans
still hold Tigny. Major Hughes stated need rein-
forcements badly, nothing less than a regiment suf-
ficient. (Signed) Sibley. T
During the progress of the fight the platoon of the
81st company and the 77th machine gun company
had been detached from this command by regimental
orders and assigned to duty elsewhere. The separate
platoon from the 73rd company and the 15th machine
gun company and also the headquarters company,
however, still remained as reserve for this battalion.
Shortly before midday an urgent request was re-
ceived from the 84th company for re-inforcements.
The Headquarters company and the platoon from the
73rd machine gun company were then ordered to re-
enforce Lt. Mason in the strong point held by him
and the remaining officers and men of the 84th com-
pany. The following message was then sent to Regi-
mental Commander:
"From: Hq. Third Btn. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 Julv 1918—12:05 p. m. by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th.
In reply to your verbal message, 97th company is
now with Major Hughes, approximately 179-285, has
40 HISTORY OF THE
about 50 men left. 84th company is between 97th.
and 83rd. Has about 40 men. 83rd Co. is about
179-286, estimated about 50 per cent casualties, 82nd
Co. has been sent to reinforce 83rd Co. on its left;
casualties unknown, said to be heavy. Headquarters
Co. is now advancing" to support 84th Co. on its
right. Their casualties unknown. Vicinity of this
P. C. now being shelled.
(Signed) Sibley. '^
(Note) — Information had not reached the Battalion
Commander at this time that the 77th company and
the platoon of the 81st company had been disposed
of by the Regimental Commander.
The 15th machine gun company was ordered to
re-inforce the reserve line occupied by the 2nd
engineers.
At about 12 :40 p. m. the following message was
received from the Regimental Commander:
*'From: C. O. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date : 19 July 1918—12 :15 p. m. No. 9 by runner.
To: C. 0. 3rd Btn.
Has the town of Tingy been taken by our troops?
If you don't know find out. If you are stopped, dig
in. There are French troops on our right. Ammuni-
tion for M. G. and Chauchat has been asked for.
(Signed) Lee."
At 12 :45 p. m. the following message sent to all
companies :
THIRD BATTALION 41
''From; Ilq. 3rd Btn. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918—12:45 p. m.
To: All Companies.
Hold the line you now have — dig in — g:et in touch
with Cos on your right and left. Reinforcements
coming. (Signed) Sibley."
At 12:50 p. m. the following message was sent to
Regimental Commander:
''From: C. 0. 3rd Btn. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 Julv 1918—12:50 p. m. by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th.
Tigny had not been taken by our troops at 12:00
noon. Believe it has not been taken since. Am send-
ing to verify this. Have just received information
that enemy is massing troops to front and left of our
84th Company. Have no further troops to send to
their assistance or to stop enemy counter attack. Re-
ported ammunition getting short. Can some be sent
from rear? I have no troops to send back for am-
munition. Have ordered cc«npanies to dig in.
(Signed) Sibley."
"From: Hq. 3rd Btn. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918 — 1:20 p. m. by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th.
1 :15 p. m. Scout has just returned and says that
Tingy has not been taken. Major Hughes sent word
that he is trving to hold what he now has and that
he was expecting reinforcements from this Battalion.
I have no more troopsi to send him.
(Signed) Sibley."
42 HISTORY OF THE
At about 2:30 p. m. it became necessary to have
the exact location of the companies and Lieutenant
Marshall, the Scout officer, was sent to get this in-
formation.
At about 4 :00 p. m. the Battalion P. C. was moved
about 200 yards to the southward and located in a cut
in the road to give a little better cover.
At about 4:30 p. m. the following message was re-
ceived :
''From: C. 0. 6th Regt.
At: P. C.
Date : 19 July 1918—3 :45 p. m. No. 10 by runner.
To: C. 0. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Btns., Hqrs. Co., 1st
En., 2nd Engrs.
The Division Commander directs us to dig in and
hold our present line at all costs. No further ad-
vance will be made for the present. He congratulates
the command on its gallant conduct in the face of
severe casualties.
Let me have a sketch of your position and dispo-
sition. Ammunition at crossroads 122 southeavSt of
Vierzy. (Signed) Lee."
This message was sent in reply:
"From: Hq. 3rd Btn. 6th Marines.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918—5 :00 p. m. No. 6 by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th Regt.
Your No. 10 just received — trying to consolidate
positions and get companies into some kind of a line
where they can dig in and hold. Accompanying
sketch shows best information we have regarding dis-
position. Believe positions of companies somewhat
inaccurate. Am checkicg this up and will forward
another sketch later.
(Signed) Sibley, per Bellamy."
THIRD BATTALION 43
After Lieutenant Marshall's return from the front
line with definite information as to the positions of
the companies, the following report was sent to the
Regimental Commander:
''From: C. 0. 3rd Btn.
At: P. C.
Date : 19 July 1918—8 :05 p. m. No. 7 by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th Regt.
Lieut. Marshall has just returned from a most per-
ilous trip which he voluntarily made to our entire
front line. Am enclosing sketch of positions held
at present. Situation worse than I had wished to
believe. According to best information received
present strength is as follows:
97th Co 4 Officers 50 men
84th Co 3 Officers 50 men
83rd Co 4 Officers 100 men
82nd Co 4 Officers 140 men
Hqrs. Co. ( ?) . . 1 Officer 45 men
16 385
Also Battalion Hqrs. 4 officers 30 men. Strength
of Bn. (estimated) this morning was 36 officers, 850
men. So far as known those unaccounted for are
casualties. Quite likely some can be located later.
It is reported that the fields between our P. C. and
the front contain many killed and wounded. No
facilities here for sending out wounded unable to
walk.
Under present conditions it wdll be very difficult
to reorganize companies even under cover of dark-
ness. Will continue holding line until we can be re-
enforced or relieved. Companies have done all dig-
ging possible under circumstances. Will continue
to dig in all that conditions permit.
44 HISTORY OP THE
On account of greatly weakened fighting force im-
practicable to send out carrying parties to bring
enough necessary water and provisions. In front
line canteens are practically all empty and very fewi
remaining rations. Can water and rations be sent to
us or a relief sent? We have no flares, pyrotechnics
or flare pistols, have no hand grenades. Consider-
able amount of rifle ammunition remaining. Also
some Chauchat. Many of their chauchats out of ac-
tion because of loss of men.
(Signed) Sibley."
During these operations and during the entire day
communications were accomplished with extreme
difl:iculty. The Battalion P. C. was under continu-
ous hostile artillery fire, also aeroplane observation
and occasional fire from their machine guns. There
was great need for water all along the line and wound-
ed were sent to the rear only with great difficulty.
Because of the lack of stretchers only walking cases
could be moved. It had not been possible to serve
a meal before the march was begun that morning
and a small amount of reserve rations were all that
the men had to eat.
Notwithstanding the great difficulty, reduced
fighting strength of the companies and the exhaus-
tion of the men and their lack of food and water for
eighteen hours, preparations were made for the con-
solidation of the positions gained during the battle.
Plans were made with the assistance and co-opera-
tion of the first Battalion, 2nd Engineers under
Major Fox, to dig trenches and put up wire as soon
as dusk obscured enemy observation it was possible
THIRD BATTALION 45
to move the wounded from the front line to the rear.
Motor trucks from the supply train assisted in this
work.
At 8 :30 p. m. the following message was received ;
''From: C. 0. 6th Regiment.
At: P. C.
Date: 19 July 1918—7:30 p. m. by runner.
To: C. 0. 3rd Bn., 1st Bn., 2nd Bn.
You will have guides for three companies of your
battalion at the crossroads southwest of Vierzy about
south of letter ''R" in Vierzy, co-ordinate 176.2-
285.7 at nine thirty (9:30) p. m. tonight, your en-
tire battalion will be relieved and also Hqrs. Co., but
guides for three companies are required as a French
Battalion only consists of three (3) companies. Bring
in all wounded when relieved.
By direction, (Signed) W. H. Sitz,
Capt. U. S. M. C
In accordance with the above order guides from
this battalion arrived at the designated rendezvous
at the hour specified, and at midnight were in turn
met by the fii^t Battalion of the 11th Tirrailleurs
(French). Relief by this Battalion began about 1
a. m. and was completed at 4 :30 a. m.
The companies when relieved assembled in the
woods south of Beaure Paire farm where rations had
been provided by the Battalion Quartermaster and
they were given breakfast. In accordance with orders
received from the Regimental Commander the Bat-
talion was marched at 8 :15 a. m. to the edge of the
Foret de Retz near Translor Farm and bivouacked
there with the rest of the Regiment. At this time a
46
HISTORY OF THE
check was made and losses during the previous day's
fighting were estimated as follows:
w
f
^
.-».
m
ego
(0
e
m
P P
«5*cr?3
^ 2
Cu
•
3
c
a- '<
•
•
(T
•
a
O.' M. 1
O. M.
O.
M.
O. M. 1
O. M.
Btn. Hdqrs.
5 6
82nd Co
6 217
0 4
1
55
0 10
1 69
83rd Co
6 212
0 5
3
51
0 2
3 58
84th Co....
7 201
0 6
4
72
0 23
4 101
97th Co....
7 213
0 12
4
105
0 15
4 132
Total. . .
31, 849
0 27
12
283
0 50
12 360
O.
5
5
3
3
3
M.
6
148
154
10 0
81
The casualties amounted to 39 per cent of the of-
ficers and 42 per cent of the men present with the
Battalion on the morning of July 19th.*
The advance which this Battalion made in the bat-
tle was over an open stretch of two and one-half or
three kilometers. Half of this distance, however, was
behind the lines already occupied by our troops but
nevertheless exposed to continuous enemy artillery
fire. The advance of the companies was in all cases
cool and fearless in the face of tremendous hostile
fire. They were stopped only when loss in numbers
made further advance impossible.
"While in bivouac near Translor Farm July 20th,
the Battalion suffered three casualties from falling
tree trunks and during the night of July 20-21 was
subjected to intermittent long range shell fire. Seven-
teen casualties, including one death, resulted fromi
this.
♦This is orig-inal estimate, made July 20th, and has not
been corrected to comply with latest revised reports.
THIRD BATTALION 47
At noon July 21 Battalion moved about three kil-
ometers westward to a point near St. Christine, where
a halt was made until 7 :25 p. m., when, in accord-
ance w4th orders from Regimental Headquarters, the
Battalion moved ten kilometers due west to a point
near Taille-Fontaine. On July 23 some clothes were
issued.
TRAININO
This battalion joined Regimental column at 3 :00
a. m., July 24. Regiment marched westward approxi-
mately fifteen kilometers and bivouacked for night in
woods one kilometer southwest of town of Levignen.
At 8 :00 a. m. next day Regiment marched to the town
of Nanteuil-le-Haudouin and battalion was billeted
there. A training program was put into effect here.
Remained in this town until 7 :00 a. m. July 31 when
battalion entrained and proceeded to Nancy, arriv-
ing there August 1, 1918 at 10 :30 a. m.
The wagon train and troops were unloaded one
kilometer outside of the city limits and marched 15
kilometers to Chaligiiy-le-Mont where our advance
billeting party met the incoming battalion at about
6 p. m.
The batallion stayed in this town from August 1st
to August 7th, during which time daily drills by
companies were carried out, as well as swimming in-
structions for the entire battalion. While in this
place about 5 per cent of the battalion were allowed
a short liberty in Nancy, the first liberty in several
months.
48 HISTORY OF THE
Field Order No. 21, Second Division, Au^st 5,
1918, received August 6, 1918, directed a change
of station, the Division taking over the sector of Mar-
bache. This battalion was to move on August 7 to
Sexey-le-Bois and Aingeray, but the following order
received on morning of August 7, 1918, changed our
destination to Liverdun.
''Headquarters Second Division (Regular)
American Expeditionary Forces.
France, 5 August 1918.
From: Chief of Staff.
To: Commanding General, 4th Brigade.
Subject: Station of troops.
1. The Division Commander directs me to trans-
mit to you the following instructions:
Under orders from Headquarters, 32nd Army
Corps, (French) the battalion of 6th Marines, or-
dered to proceed to Sexey-le-Bois^ — Aingeray, on
August 7, for station will instead proceed to Liver-
dun for station. The battalion will march via Sexey-
le-Bois in time to arrive at Liverdun NOT EARLIER
than 1 p. m., August 7, 1918.
PRESTON BROWN,
Colonel, General Staff, Chief of Staff."
In accordance with this order at 2 p. m. on August
7th the Battalion left Chaligny-leMont and proceeded
to the town of Liverdun, a distance of approximately
22 kilometers, arriving there at about 7:30 p. m.
This battalion was in reserve in "barrage position'^
at Liverdun, together with 2nd Battalion of 23rd
Infantry. The following message was sent after our
arrival in Liverdun.
THIRD BATTALION 49
Headquarters, Third Battalion, Sixth. Regiment,
Marine Corps, A. E. F.
France, 7 August, 1918.
MEMORANDUM. For Reg-imental Commander.
1. In accordance with Division Field Order No.
21, August 5 as modified by Division letter of 6 Aug-
ust, 1918, this battalion left Chaligny at 2:00 p. m.,
proceeded to Liverdun and took station there at 7 :30
p. m., this date. 15th Machine Gun Company ar-
rived from Haudiomont and took station with this
Battalion. B. W. Sibley,
Major, U. S. M. C, Commanding Btn."
The following communication was received on
August 7 relative to the barrage position:
''Headquarters, Second Division (Regular.)
Ajuerican Expeditionary (Forces.
France, 6 August, 1918.
From: Chief of Staff.
To: C. G., 4th Brigade.
Subject: Barrage Position.
1. The Battalion of the 23rd Infantry, stationed
at Liverdun and the Battalion of the 6th Marines,
stationed at Sexey-le-Bois, on completion of the move-
ment of the division to the Marbache sector will oc-
cupy the barrage position. The senior battalion com-
mander of the two battalions will command the troops
occupying this barrage position.
2. Please direct Major Sibley, 6th Marines, Com-
manding Officer of the battalion at Sexey-le-Bois,
to call on and confer with Colonel Jacques, 145th
Territorial Infantry (French) at Sexey-le-Bois, with
the least practicable delay and obtain full informa-
tion and instructions about the position.
By Command of Major General LeJeune:
PRESTON BROWN,
Colonel, General Staff, Chief of Staff.
50 HISTORY OF THE
Hq. 4th Brigade, Marine Corps, Am. E. F.
6 August, 1918
To: Major Sibley, 6th Marines.
1. Forwarded for your information.
By command of Brigadier General Neville:
(Signed) Carl R. Dietrich, 2nd Lt.
For and in the absence of
H. Lay, Major, Adjutant."
The battalion remained in this town until the 14th
of August. During this time there were billeted in
the same town the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry; a
detachment of the 24th Regt. of Engrs. ; the 15th Ma-
chine Gun Company, which was assigned to this bat-
talion, and numerous French troops, which made
the procuring of drinking water difficult. A regular
routine, consisting of drills, swimming instructions,
etc., was arranged and carried out during the stay
in this place. Plans were also made with the French
Engineers for working on the trench system of the
barrage position. Here also, liberty parties consist-
ing of 25 per cent of each company were allowed 24
hours in the city of Nancy. Several nights German
bombing planes passed over this place and dropped
bombs, none of which landed in the city and no
casualties resulted.
On August 8th Major Sibley received notification
of his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. On August
9th notification was received that seven days' leave
for 5 per cent of the officers and men would be
granted. Two officers left on August 11th, but
leaves for men were not received from Regimental
Headquarters until August 25.
THIRD BATTALION 51
At 9:16 a. m. August 14 the following telephone
message was received while the battalion was in the
field :
''Telephone message Syke-6. at 2nd Division Hq.
9:16 a. m. August 14, 1918.
This message just received: Copy to Col. Sibley
and Maj. Fechet.
' ' The two battalions at Liverdun must be ready to
march at 1 :00 p. m. today. Going to an area where
will be cut off from the railhead for a couple of days.
Better take 4 or 5 days' rations if you can get them.
Inspect your billets as other troops will be in and
an inspector will be over from Div. Headqrs. also.
Leave no salvage here."
Received by Sgt. Major Akers,
3rd Btn., 6th Marines.
At 12 :30 p. m. the same date the following was re-
ceived :
''ORDERS received from Division Headquarters by
telephone, 12:30 p. m., Aug. 14, 1918.
To: C. 0. 3rd Btn., 6th Marines.
You will give the necessary orders for the move-
ment at 1 :00 p. m., August 14th of the 3rd Btn., 6th
Marines and the 2nd Btn., 23rd Infantry to Chal-
igny where you will receive further orders. Four
to five days' rations should be carried. The billeting
capacity of Chaligny is 57 officers and 2,300 men.
(Reed. V Lt. Pierce.)"
In accordance with the above the battalion left
Liverdun shortly after 1 :00 p. m., arrived at Chal-
igny about 7 :30 p. m. and was billeted for the night.
At 12 :30 a. m., August 15, the following was re-
ceived :
52 HISTORY OF THE
( i
Headquarters, Second Division,
American Expeditionary Forces.
France, August 14, 1918, 10 :30 p. m.
MEMORANDUM FOR 0. 0., Third Battalion,
Sixth Marines, and C. 0., Second Battalion,
Twenty-third Infantry :
Moves for Aug'ust fifteenth (15th) :
Third Battalion, Sixth Marines, to Autreville.
Second Battalion, Twenty-third Infantry, to Ger-
miny.
Rations will be delivered to above places on the
afternoon of August fifteenth (15).
By command of Major General LeJeune:
J. C. RHEA,
Colonel, General Staff, A. C. of S., G-3."
In accordance with the above the Battalion marched
at 9 :00 a. m., a billeting party having left at 8 a. m.
The march was made at a steady pace and halts
were made for dinner and supper. The Battalion
arrived at Autreville at about 9:15 p. m. with no
absentees after a total of about 50 kilometers of
marching in a day and one-half.
This niove was made in accordance with Field
Orders No. 22, 2nd Division, August 14, 11 :00 a. m.,
which orders, however, were not received by us until
the night of 15 August, 1918.
The Battalion remained at Autreville until Aug-
ust 21 and followed a regular routine of drills, etc.
About 8 :30 p. m., August 20, verbal orders were re-
ceived to move out at 7 :00 a. m. the following morn-
ing for Camp Bois-de-rEveque, 28 kilometers away.
The start was made as per instructions at 7 :00 a, m.
and the camp was reached at about 6 :30 p. m. Dur-
THIRD BATTALION 53
ing the stay at this camp a specified routine was fol-
lowed out consisting of practice maneuvers, gas in-
struction, bombing practice and rifle range prac-
tice.
On Sunday, August 25th, the Battalion participated
in the ceremonies attending the presentation of
awards for gallantry in action in accordance with the
following orders :
"Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. F.,
24 Ausrust, 1918.
MEMORANDUM to Lieut. Colonel Sibley:
Colonel Lee directs that your battalion be the bat-
talion representing this regiment in the ceremonies
at Bois-de-PEveque tomorrow at ten o'clock a. m.,
full details of which are given in the attached memo-
randum from division headquarters. The uniform
for these ceremonies will be blouses, helmets and field
equipment less the pack.
W. H. Sitz,
Captain, U. S. M. C, Adjutant.
P. S. — The Colors will be sent to you by truck leav-
ing here at 7 :00 a. m. tomorrow morning.
W. H. Sitz."
At 9 :30 a. m. August 25, the following instructions
from Regimental Headquarters were received
through Colonel Holcomb:
"Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. F.,
24 August, 1918.
MEMORANDUM to Lieut. Col. Holcomb:
The 1st battalion will leave Harmonville at five
o'clock p. m. tomorrow afternoon for Camp Bois de
54 HISTORY OF THE
TEveqne. Colonel Lee wishes you to notify the 3rd
battalion, now located at Bois de TEveque, that they
will commence their march for Harmonville also at
5:00 p. m. tomorrow. It will not be necessary for
Colonel Sibley to send any billeting party to this
as arranorements will be made with the Headquarters
Company stationed here to learn where the billets
are that are now occupied by the 1st battalion and
to meet the 3rd battalion upon their arrival here
to direct them to these billets.
W. H. SITZ,
Captain, U. S. M. C, Adjutant.''
In accordance with this, the Battalion left Camp
Bois-de-rEveque at 5:00 p. m. for Harmonville, ai
distance of 28 kilometers and arrived at the town
at approximately 2 :00 a. m., August 26th, where
they proceeded to billets previously occupied by the
1st Battalion, 6th Marines.
Here again a regular routine of drills and forma-
tions was taken up and followed daily.
OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS ST. MIHIEL SALIENT.
Verbal orders w^ere received during the day Sep-
tember 1st, to stand-by to leave in camions that night.
Preparations for leaving were made at once and the
Battalion stood by all night awaiting orders to leave.
Early September 2nd word was received that the
movement was to be by marching and at 9 :00 p. m.,
September 2nd, the Battalion moved out in accord-
ance with the followinor order:
m
XA^^hE:
<y^?^V
%% *
8/
HI
^\)?
^/.
^^ o<
'" jf^'y^
00
as
^'^ /y
'^^^^^
^^ >^
^^""^^^^
o
*^ ^
^^*^
(72
^^ >f^
<M
.^ Xr
rH
•
CO
TonT/kinc
6:15
lieved
^ 1 1
<
teSl
L \>-/^
o
^^
— Jump
18 unti
<^ OS
J^y^^x^
•
^1 \^
wcat/nk.
.2i ^
/ V
C3
' w
V
^
•^
0)
. -••^^Nk
«^
:a a
^
^
(St. Mi
tion 11
^Isk****^ ^
_^m-
•1— •
^S\ N • • ^
■^
25^
\C-'*Jc
s
(v
i§
V
><i
iaucourt,
ept. 1918
^Cv '^
>> .
\VX
^\^
^ s
H Ejvyp'^'^ w viA4.€i,-^S^
a a
>^^ ».
"^
// ^
CO c
ff ^^^
^.^"^"^T^^^TH^^s^
a. 2
C3 •♦J
rk\
THIRD BATTALION 55
** Headquarters, Sixth Rej2:iment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. P.,
France, 2 September, 1918.
SECRET
FIELD ORDER No. 11.
Map: Nancy-Commercy 1:80,000. Hour, 3:15 p. m.
1. The 2nd Division is to move to another area by
marchinof. This regiment will mar-ch in accordance
with march table. Annex 1, of Field Orders No. 24,
2nd Division, dated September 2, 1918.
2. The Regimental M. G. Company and 3 Stokes
Mortars, 37 mm. and pioneer platoons of the Head-
quarters Company, under command of senior officer
present, will leave Camp Bois I'Eveque at 8:45 p. m.
September 3rd and will join the regiment at Pierre
la Triche at 10:45 p. m.
3. Organization commanders will make every ef-
fort to conceal this movement and troops on the
march, in bivouac, or in billets will be disposed ac-
cordingly.
4. "While the movement is in progress, organiza-
tions will endeavor to keep in touch wath the Regi-
mental Headquarters as m.uch as possible.
5. Regimental Headquarters will close here at
9 :20 p. m., September 2nd, and will be at the head
of the 3rd Battalion night of September 2-3 and
thereafter at head of column.
6. Battalions will march with an interval of 100
yards between companies and trains T\dth an interval
of 100 yards between each six vehicles.
7. Trains will follow units to which attached.
March discipline and traffic regulations will be strict-
ly enforced. By order of Colonel Lee :
T. Holcomb,
Lieut. Col., U. S. M. C, Operations Officer."
56 HISTORY OF THE
Arriving at Thuilley at 1:30 a. m. September 3rd,
Battalion was billeted in camouflaged camp in out-
Bkirts of town and men kept under cover through.-
out the day.
At 8 :30 p. m. September 3rd, the march was again
taken up in a general northerly direction, arriving
in the Bois-de-Chaudeney at 1 :40 a. m., September
4th. Here troops were bivouacked and rested until
dusk.
Moving out at 9 :1Q p. m. the Battalion arrived,
:after much delay due to congested traffic on roads,
in the Bois St. Gencoult at 2:45 a. m., September
5th. Some training by small units was carried on
liere and at 5 :00 a. m. September 6th, Captain L.
M. Bourne and Second Lieutenant N. F. Dougherty
arrived with 93 replacements and casuals.
Captain Bourne was assigned to the command of
the 84th Company and Lieut. Dougherty assigned
to the 83rd Company. The enlisted men were
divided among the four companies so as to make
the approximate strength of each 220 men.
September 7th Col. Sibley, with commanding offi-
cers of the other battalions, left at 3 :00 a. m. to
reconnoiter the front line. The trip was made on
horseback, covering 65 kilometers and returning at
11 :00 p. m. the same day. On this date Major Gen-
eral LeJeune inspected certain companies of this
battalion.
Captain J. H. Johnston reported for duty with
the Battalion September 8th and was assigned to
take command of the 82nd Company.
THIRD BATTALION 57
At 8:50 p. m., September 9th, in accordance with
instructions received from Reg^imental Commander,
the Battalion moved out toward the Bois de la Rappe.
Col. Sibley had preceded the Battalion in a side car
in order to reconnoiter area for bivouac and Captain
Berry took command for the night's march. After
much delay due to congestion of traffic on roads, the
Battalion arrived in the Bois de Manoncourt at 6 :30
a. m. and bivouacked for the day, resuming march at
7 :15 p. m. and arriving in the Bois de la Rappe at
9 :00 p. m. in a heavy rain. Here the Battalion re-
mained all day the 11th making preparations for en-
gaging the enemy. Two hundred and fifty replace-
ments reported and were apportioned among the
companies; blanket rolls were stored, two extra ban-
doleers of ammunition were issued to each man, extra
chauchat ammunition and rifle grenades were issued
and 20 per cent of the total strength of each com-
pany designated to be kept out of the battle. The
fighting strength of the Battalion after the 20 per
cent were separated remained 21 officers and 918
men. To this were added one officer and thirty men
from the Stokes Mortar platoon (3 guns), one officer
and fourteen men from the one pounder section (one
gun), forty pioneers for wire cutting and one officer
and seven enlisted men from the engineers for co-
operation with the tanks. Never before had the Bat-
talion gone into an attack so well organized and
equipped. Every emergency had been provided for
and the success of the affair seemed assured.
58 HISTORY OP THE
The tentative plan of attack for this regiment was
received during the afternoon of the 11th and ex-
plained in detail to all officers by the Battalion
Commander.
At 7:00 p. m. regimental order was received stat-
ing that the hour of the attack was to be 5 :00 a. m.,
September 12th. This Battalion was to move to the
jumping off trenches in the southern limits of Limey
as early in the evening of September 11th as prac-
ticable. It was to be in position before 1 :00 a. m.
September 12th when the artillery preparation was
to commence. This Battalion was placed in the first
line of the line of this Regiment, the Second being
in support and the First on the left as liason with the
89th Division. Ahead of this Regiment was the 23rd
Infantry. The companies of this Battalion were ar-
ranged as follows: 82nd Company right front line,
83rd, left front line; 97th, right support, and 84th,
left support.
Just as the artillery preparation commenced the
following message was sent:
*'From: C. 0., 3rd Btn.
At: P. C.
Date: 12 Sept., 18, 1:08 a. m. No. 1.
To: C. O, 6th.
3rd Btn. in position trenches south of Limey at
1 :00 a. m. Stokes Mortars and one-pounders have not
arrived. Have liasion with 15th M. G.
(Signed) Sibley. '^
The 15th Machine Gun Company referred to was
the machine gun company assigned to support this
Battalion.
THIRD BATTALION 59
Before the attack started liasion was also made
with Regimental Headquarters, 2iid Battalion 23rd
Infantiy and the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. At the
hour of the attack, 5 :00 a. m., the 23rd Infantry
moved off from its jumping off positions and was
followed by this Battalion. There had been little re-
sponse to our heavy artillery preparation and when
the attack started there was no indication that the
infantry w^as meeting heavy opposition. The P. C.
of this battalion, which had been in Limey during the
artillery preparation, moved forward at 6 :15 a. m.
and established itself in what had been the jumping
off place for the front line, 23rd Infantiy. Messages
were received about 7 :00 a. m. from all the companies
of this Battalion that they were following the Infan-
try advance at 1,000 yards distance and were in
liasion with the elements on the right and left. The
advance continued across the hills to the north of
Limej^ and at 8 :30 our own front line entered the
Bois Haie VEvteque, when the following message
was sent:
''Prom: 3rd Btn.
At: P. C.
Date: 12 Sept. 15, No. 3.
To: C. 0., 6th.
Entering Bois Haie I'Eveque and still progressing.
(Signed) Sibley."
Two hours later Battalion had passed through this
woods and was reorganizing for further advance,
considerable work had to be done in reorganizing,
inasmuch as two of the companies (82nd and 97th),
60 HISTORY OP THE
in going through the woods, had moved to the left
of the sector. The advance continued with no fur-
ther opposition and with very slight casualties from
shell fire. At 1 :00 p. m. the following message was
Bent :
''From: 3rd Btn.
At : P. C.
Date ; 12 Sept. 13, 1 :00 p. m. No. 5.
To: C. 0. 6th Marines, via C. 0. 2nd Btn.
Advancing on THIAUCOURT and about 1 1-2 K.
from it. Casualties slight.
(Signed) Sibley.'
ft
The advance on Thiaucourt was uninterrupted and
the town was skirted by us at about 2 :00 p. m., two
of our companies having crossed the river just to the
west of town. The other two companies (82nd and
97th) were following in the rear, having become some-
what detached. Positions were taken up to the north
and northeast of Thiaucourt and at 4 :00 p. m. the fol-
lowing message was sent indicating the general sit-
uation :
''From: 3rd Btn.
At : P. C.
Date : 12 Sept. Hour 4 :00 p. m. No. 5.
To: C. 0. 6th.
About an hour or two or more ago we passed to the
north of Thiaucourt and took up position about 1,000
yards behind 23'rd Infantry with the two companies
that remain with us. Enemy shelling our lines, and
Infantry fell behind us. Now are in position again.
Our two remaining companies have just reported
THIRD BATTALION 61
in, and are being placed. However, all units ara
badly disorganized and out of position.
We need rations if possible, some ambulances for
a few wounded, and counter work. Artillery has
been silent for several hours.
(Signed) Sibley."
At this time the 23rd Infantry was about 1,000
yards behind the army line and were subjected to
heavy direct artillery fire ; a rearward movement was
noticed and two companies of this Battalion were
pushed out to support the line. The 82nd and 97th
companies reporting up at this time, were given po-
sitions on the right in support of the 23rd Infantry^
where they spent the night. About 5 :00 p. m. the
original line was re-established.
The Battalion P. C. was established in the power
house building 500 yards northeast of Thiaucort.
That night and the following morning were passed
quietly. The P. C. of this Battalion was moved to
a dugout on the northeast outskirts of town at 1 ;00
p. m., the 13th.
Orders were received that day from Regimental
Headquarters that this Battalion would relieve the
front line, held by the 23rd Infantry, at dusk.
The companies were assigned as indicated in the
following order:
''From: C. 0. 3rd Btn.
At : P. C.
Date: 13 Sept. 1918, 6:00 p. m. No. 6.
To : C. 0. all Companies.
In accordance with Regimental orders the com-
panies of this battalion will take over positions as
62 HISTORY OP THE
reconnoitered this p. m. 82nd Go. right front line,
83rd Co. left front line, 84th Co. left support, 97th
Co. right support. This will be accomplished at dusk
and completed at dark. Report to these headquar-
ters as soon as relief is completed. One platoon of
15th M. G. Co. will support right front company an-
other will support left front Co. and another will be
in reserve; Stokes Mortars and one-pounder detach-
ment iWll remain in reserve and will occupy position,
now held for present.
By order of Lt. Col. Sibley.
(Signed) David Bellamy, Adj.^*
This relief was completed by 12 midnight. Patrols
were also sent out to the right and left front by the
front line companies and information sent back that
liasion was established with units on the right and
left front and that of patrols. The following order
was received at 6:00 p. m., the 14th.
''From: C. 0. 6th Regt.
At: P. C. Thiaucourt.
Date : 14 Sept. 13—5 :40 p. m.
To : C. 0. 3rd Btn. 6th. Operations Memo No. 2.
In compliance with verbal instructions from the
Brig. Comdr. you will advance your line to the ar-
my line this evening as soon as light conditions are
favorable. By this line is meant the high ground in
your front extending from a point Northeast of
JAULNY to the North of Xammes. Arrange the dis-
position of your local support to suit the terrain and
your own judgment.
2. The first Btn. of this Regt. is under orders to
execute a reconnaissance to a point about two (2)
kilometers to the front, and a copy of the memo is
herewith enclosed for your information.
(Signed) Lee."
THIRD BATTALION 63
At 11 :40 p. m. the following message was sent,
explaining the situation at that time :
"From: 3rd Btn. 6th.
At: P. C.
Date : 14 Sept. 13—11 :40 p. m. No. 1.
To: C. 0. 6th Regt.
Have just returned from reconnoitering the "ar-
my line" and established a P. C. in the southeast-
em edge of woods (Pill Box) co-ordinates 363.5-
242.3.
Company commanders were taken out to center
of this line and shown the positions which their com-
panies are to occupy. Companies are now getting
into position as best they can in darkness. 97th Co.
will be on right front and 84th Co. on left front,
82nd and 83rd Cos. have been ordered to hold in.
present positions until they can be more advantage-
ously located. This cannot be done in darkness. Will
send further report w^hen front line has been es-
tablished. Two platoons of 15th m. g. Co. have been
ordered to support new front line. They are also
getting into position. Stokes Mortars and One-
Pounders are left in reserve for present.
Major Barker and his companies passed on their
way north about 9 :00 p. m. Both new and old front
line positions are being heavily shelled. At about
11 :00 p. m. aeroplanes dropped bombs in vicinity of
cross roads 363.3-242.7, near our old front lines,
where battalion P. C. was then located.
Report of casualties not received, not believed to
be heavy.
(Signed) Sibley, D. B.'*
The night of the 14th-15th was marked by heavy!
shelling throughout the entire sector. At daylight
on the morning of the 15th the Second Battalion,
64 HISTORY OF THE
under Major "Williams, passed through our lines to
occupy the Bois de la Montagny, Their advance
drew upon us heavy shell fire. There was some un-
certainty as to the location of the 1st and 2nd Bat-
talions, and the following message was sent to all
companies at 9:30 a. m., 15th.
''From: 3rd Btn. 6th R.
At: P. C.
Date: 15 Sept. 93 Or. No. 5.
To : C. 0. 97th and 84th Cos.
Following message just received from regimental t
"8:10 a. m. Stay in place on army line till further
orders, 2nd Battalion is separated into two bodies,
one under Williams and one under Martin. 1st Btn»
is in front in Bois de Montagny don't know
where. Send patrols to front to locate them and
have him (Major Barker) report over phone up at
front. Phone in on line with W^illiams, follow^
wire up. "Lee" 84th and 97th Cos. will each send
a patrol immediately to comply with this order.
Runners bearing this message may be able to give
information relating to location of phone wire run-
ning to front. You will also make an effort to get
in touch w^th both detachments of our 2nd Battalion.
Please send us all information you have relative
to conditions and keep us informed.
Sibley."
At 10 :30 a. m. a verbal message was received from
Colonel Holcomb to send two platoons to support the
front line on left in Bois de la Montagny (Hill 231.5)
where it was reported that the Boche were counter
attacking. Two platoons of the 83rd Company were
dispatched at once and took up positions with the
THIRD BATTALION 65
left of the 2nd Battalion, remaining there until
6 :00 p. m., when they were recalled by Regimental
order.
The entire sector and the vicinity of the P. C. were
shelled during the day.
Word was received from Regimental at 2 :00 p. m.
that the Regiment w^ould be relieved at dark. Latet
in the afternoon officers from the 310 Infantry (78th
Division) reported to reconnoiter the positions held
by this Battalion. The relief commenced shortly}
after midnight and was completed at 3 :45 a. m., 16th.
Battalion marched by platoons to the Bois d' Heich
on the Thiaucourt-Regieville road, where it was
bivouacked.
The casualties during these operations amounted
to: One officer wounded, seven men killed and
forty-three wounded; also 15 men missing. Thirty-
seven men were evacuated sick during this period.*
TRAINING.
At 1 :00 p. m. September 16, 1918, battalion
marched from Bois I'Heich, arriving at Minorville at
7 :0O p. m, and bivouacking in woods one kilometen
from Minorville, at dusk. Here the following officers
reported from Army Infantry Specialists School:
First Lieutenants Noble, McFarland and Marshall
and Second Lieutenants Minter, Zook, Wilmot,
Callan, Richardson and Beckwith. Battalion Head-
quarters was established in a hospital barra-cks in
*This report has not been revised to comply with latest
official figures but is approximately correct.
66 HISTORY OF THE
the town of IMinorville and the usual work of clean-
ing up clothing, personnel and equipment, was be-
gun. Some clothing was issued. The continued rain
made the bivouac rather uncomfortable and effort
was made to find billets for the men.
On September 18th Col. Sibley was evacuated to
S.O.S. hospital with eye trouble and overwork. This
was the last the Battalion saw of the man who organ-
ized, trained and commanded it through three major
operations. Captain George K. Shuler reported as
Battalion Commander the afternoon of September
18th.
Verbal orders were received from Regimental
Commander September 20 to prepare to move that
day. Billeting party was sent out at 4 :00 p. m., the
battalion marching at 6 :30 p. m. Continuing the
march the battalion arrived at Choloy at 2 :30 a.
m. September 21, and billeted. At 7:30 a. m., the
21st, orders were received from Regimental Com-
mander directing Lieut. Marshall and two scouts to
proceed to Regimental Headquarters in Poug from
Vviience they would be taken on reconnoitering trip
to the front. The usual 24 hours was devoted to
cleaning up and resting after which a drill program
was put into effect and carried out during the stay
at this town.
One day liberty within the divisional area, includ-
ing Toul, was granted to 10 per cent of the command
on the 23rd and 24th of September.
Lieut. Marshall and two scouts returned from
reconnoitering trip on the 25th.
THIRD BATTALION 67
CHAMPAGNE OFFENSIVE.
(Operations Near Blanc Mont Ridge.)
In accordance with orders from Regimental Com-
mander received the evening of September 26th, the
battalion marched at 4:30 a. m., September 27th,
to the entraining point at Domgermain. After hav-
ing breakfast on the loading platform, battalion en-
trained and left at 9:30 a. m. Arriving at Chalons-
sur-Mame at 5 :30 p. m., the battalion detrained and
marched to Moncetz, arriving at 9 :40 p. m., the 27th.
Orders were received that battalion was to prepare
to move at an hour's notice and the final touches of
re-equipping and outfitting men were put on.
At 4:00 p. m., September 28th, orders received for
billeting party to assemble at Brigade Headquarters
at Sarry immediately. The area was unknown but
the general impression was that the movement was
toward Suippes.
This billeting party returned September 29th and
battalion embussed in camions at 5 :30 p. m. that day,
destination unknown. The trains had preceded the
troops, leaving at 9 :00 a. m. for Somme-Suippea
Camions proceeded through Chalons-sur-Marne where
a cheering crowd lined the streets to pay tribute to
their old friends, the Second Division. Debussing
in northern outskirts of Suippes battalion marched
to trenches two kilometers north of Suippes and
bivouacked for the night, together with the other bat-
talions of this reodment.
68 HISTORY OF THE
The following day, September 30, this battalion
moved to more comfortable quarters in a nearby
French camp, where the kitchens were brought up.
At 4:00 p. m. on the 1st of October, verbal instruc-
tions were received by the battalion Commander that
the battalion would move forward at dusk through
Souain to the trenches south of Somme-Py. At 6 :00
p. m. the Regimental Commander called the battalion
Commander, Scout Officer and one officer from each
company to go forward and reconnoiter, it being then
thought that this battalion would occupy trenches
immediately to the south of the railroad running
west from Somme-Py.
The 20 per cent reserve as designated was left be-
hind and the march of this battalion was begun at
8 p. m.. following the First battalion. Attached to
this battalion were the 15th Machine Gun Company,
Captain Kingman, two Stokes Mortars and one One-
Pounder section. The road was heavily blocked with
traffic and progress was slow. Pyrotechnics, hand
grenades and engineering tools, but no V. B. gre-
nades, were picked up enroute. The following mes-
sage was received en route:
''From: Hq. 6th Regt.
Date : 1 Oct. 1918—9 :35 p. m.
To : C. 0. 3rd Btn.
Your position in trenches Dusseldorf and Grot-
tingue. Our regimental P. C. at 7863. Guides will
meet you a little south of place we told you to go.
Explain to them that you are third line Battalion.
By order of Col. Lee.
(Signed) Holcomb.*'
THIRD BATTALION 69
At 4:30 a. m. this battalion took position in the
trenches Dusseldorf and Gotting^e southwest of
Somme-Py where the following order was received
at 9 :25 a. m., October 2nd.
''From: C. 0. 6th Marines.
At : P. C. 78—59.
Date : 2 Oct. 18 — 9 :20 a. m. By runner.
To : C. 0. 3rd Battalion.
On ^^D" day and "H" hour I have warning that
this regiment will advance in three echelons to the
North and West against the positions held by the
enemy in our immediate front in trenches Pacha and
D 'Essen, then a little West of North to include
Blanc-Mont. In this event, 2nd Battalion lead-
ing with two companies in its front line and
2 in local support will be' followed by the 1st and
3rd respectively at about 800 to 1,000 metres. Simi-
larly disposed and during the advance guarding
carefully our left flank for the entire advance to
Blanc ]\font. Precautions must be taken in each
Bn. for flank protection as it is not knov>rn definitely
that a flank guard wUl be provided. Precautions
must be taken in each Btn. for combat liaison with
the battalions on their right "of the 5th Regiment."
It will be well if in each Btn. as many maps are
marked to show the regimental sector and as much
consideration of the maps be had as is possible be-
fore "H" hour. The boundaries of the regimental
sectors will be as follows :
Western
from 266.9-277.0 North to 277.7 then Northwest to
265.8-280.8
Eastern
from 268.0-277.7 to 267.2-280.1.
It is thought the order might make this the final
70 HISTORY OP THE
objective where possibly the 3rd Brigade will leap-
frog to conduct exploitation.
Until orders are received make this your plan and
be prepared to move to its execution before noon.
Packs should be left at the jumping-off point under
charge of one man from each platoon. In case of
shortage of grenades search should be made for a
supply in the sectors you now occupy. Impress all
men with the fact that musketry is still KING and
they have but to sit tight and shoot straight insuring
superiority of fire and guaranteeing success.
(Signed) Lee.^'
At 10:50 a. m. an order from Regimental Com-
mander was received postponing the attack for 24
hours.
The next morning, October 3, at 5:10 a. m., the
following order was received: , ,
''From: C. 0. 6th Marines.
At: P. C.
Date : 3 Oct. 5 :00 a. m. By runner.
To : C. 0. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Btns. 6th Marines.
This division attacks this morning at 5 :50 a. m.
3rd Brigade on the right, 4th Brigade on the left.
Direction of attacks and objectives as shown on at-
tached sketch. This Brigade will attack in, column
of regiments : The 6th Regiment in the first line,
and the 5th forming the 2nd line or support. This
regiment will take the usual form of attack, column
of battalions; one battalion first line, one battalion
in the second and one in the third. Distance between
battalions about 1,000 yards.
2. There will be five minutes' artillery prepara-
tion before the infantry attacks. At zero hour a roll-
ing barrage will begin and will precede the infantry
THIRD BATTALION 71
advance at the rate of 100 metres in four minutes to
the objective where a standing barrage will be put
on 300 metres beyond the objective for 30 minutes
where the rolling barrage will continue for 1,400
metres further for the support of patrols and es-
tablishment of outpost lines.
3. Tanks will be assigned as follows:
One company (12 tanks) to the leading bat-
talion of this regiment in the usual front line
attack formation.
One company (12 tanks) to the battalion of
the second line this regiment taking position
in rear of right and left flank to repel at-
tacks and counter-attacks.
These tanks will be under the command of the
battalion commanders to which assigned. Each bat-
talion will provide suitable flank protection for his
own organization. The Commanding Officer of the
5th regiment will detail his rear battalion to watch
the hook from the trenches on our left flank. If it
is not necessary to attack the hook this battalion will
advance as left flank guard.
4. All trooops will be in position at "H" minus
two hours.
5. Attached is copy of division order just re-
ceived 4:45 a. m.
6. P. C. of this regiment will remain in present
position until the first objective is reached when it
will be moved to a point 680.5-768.0.
(Signed) Lee."
According to above instructions this Battalion ad-
vanced at 5:50 a. m. 1,000 yards in rear of First
Battalion. The companies were placed as follows:
83rd on right, supported by 82nd ; 97th on left, sup-
72 HISTORY OP THE
ported by 84th. Our P. C. advanced along the Boyau
Landshut.
The battalion advanced steadily until about 7
o'clock, when the 97th Company reported that it was
held up by enemy machine gnn fire from the left,
which caused a few casualties. At 7:30 four tanks
were seen advancing upon these machine gun nests.
Forty minutes later the 97th reported that machine
guns were silenced and that they were advancing.
We advanced without further trouble and with
few casualties until about 9 :40 a. m., when Lieutenant
Noble, 83rd Company, reported that the First Bat-
talion had passed through the Second Battalion and
had reached objective on the Blanc Mont ridge. This
Battalion halted in reserve position 800 yards in rear
of Second Battalion where it dug in.
The following messages were sent as indicated and
explain the situation at the end of the first phase of
the attack: ,
' ' From : 3rd Btn. 6th Regiment.
Date : 3 Oct. 10 :10 a. m. No. 6. By runner.
To : C. 0. 6th Regiment.
I understand 1st Btn. has passed thru 2nd Btn.
and holds objective. I am ordering my 83rd Co. which
at present extends from road West to Boyau D*
Ausborg at 267.3 and 280.2 to line 267.0. My 97th
Co. which has reported in touch with 83rd. I will
move to the West so as to occupy with that company
one-third of the line. My 84th Co. will be placed
on the left of the 97th. I have no report from 84th
Co. but know that it has advanced in rear of 97th.
My 82nd is now in rear of 83rd. I will move to a
THIRD BATTALION 73
position in rear of center. My P. C. is at present at
^67.3-279.4 in trench D'Ansborg. I intend to
move along trench running to the left. 2nd Bat-
talion 5th Regiment Commander is about 200 yards
to my rear. I have sent word to him to watch the
left. No further report of casualties received.
(Signed) Shuler."
''From: C. 0. 3rd Btn.
Date : 3 Oct. 18 11 :43 a. m. No. 7. By runner.
To : C. 0. 2nd Btn. 6th Marines.
I have ordered my 84th Co. to take up position ex-
tending from our left line Northeast to 266.5-280.0
My line extends from there to 267.6-280.3 I can help
you support the left. Advise me what position would
be best. Will you inform this runner of the location
of Barker's P. C. and disposition of his compan-
ies if possible.
(Signed) Shuler.'^
''From: C. 0. 3rd Btn.
Date : 3 Oct. 11 :50 a. m. No. 9. By runner.
To: C. 0. 2nd Btn. 6th Marines.
Officer from 2nd Battalion 5th Regiment just came
here and showed me orders IMessersmith to fill
gap between 6th Marines on left and the French.
He is proceeding to do so.
(Signed) Shuler.
"From: C. 0. 3rd Btn. 6th Regiment.
Date : 3 Oct. 12 :10 p. m. No. 10. By runner.
To: C. 0. 1st Btn. 6th Regiment.
My P. C. 267.2-279.6 in trench. I am now getting
my line established from 267.3 to 280.6 to 266.1 to
279.7. Just received message from "Williams stating
enemy was circling left and asking for help. At
same time this message was received Messersmith
commanding second battalion 5th Marines showed
> f
74 HISTORY OPTHE
me his orders to immediately fill up any gap between
6th Marines and French on our left. ' '
The line of the Third Battalion as ordered in the
above messages was exactly taken up.
The following messages further explain the situa-
tion which developed on left and the action taken:
''From: C. 0. 1st Bn. at P. C.
Date: 3 Oct. 18 11:30 a. m. No. 11. By runner.
To: C. 0. 3rd Bn. 6th Marines.
Have reached our objective and consolidating line.
2nd battalion on our left, 23rd infantry on right.
Left flank exposed. Expect counter-attack. Have
you seen 5th Marines? Let us know your exact loca-
tion of P. C. and your companies.
(Signed) Barker.'
j>
''From: C. 0. 3rd Bn.
Date : 3 Oct. 11 :55 a. m. No. 8. By runner.
To: C. 0. 6th Regiment.
The following message just received from Major
Williams, Second Battalion. We need support on, our
left fl^ank. The French have not come up and our
left is in the air. The enemy about 700 or 800 strong
are going around our left and threaten an encircling
movement. Can you give us any help. I sent message
to Williams that I would give him support and asked
his advice as to location for same. Between sending
that message and writing this one Messersmith com-
manding 2nd Bn. 5th Resriment showed me his or-
ders from Commanding Officer 5th Regiment 'To
immediately fill in any gap between 6th Regt. and
the French on our left.' His order was to do so with-
out further orders. I have sent Major Williams' run-
ner to Messersmith to take back any message and
THIRD BATTALION 75
have sent message to Major Williams informing him
of Messersmith's orders.
(Signed) Shuler."
'^From: C. 0. 3rd Btn.
Date : 3 Oct. 1 :30 p. m. No. 11. By runner.
To: C. 0. 1st Btn.
My Go's disposed as sketch shows. According to
your co-ordinates farthest point on my line is about
800 metres in your rear with good communication
through trench D'Ausbourg. However, if you
want line closer can move it forward. Give me an
idea of where you would like my line to better sup-
port you.
(Signed) Shuler."
''From: C. 0. 1st Btn. at P. C.
Date : 3 Oct. 18 12 :40 No. 13. By runner.
To : C. 0. 3rd Btn.
1st and 2nd Ball, on front line with no support.
In need of a support line. Can you help us out.
(Signed) Barker."
When the line of this Battalion was established
in support of the First and Second Battalions, the
following situation became evident: The advance of
our regiment had been unimpeded to the objective
on the Blanc Mont ridge. But the French on our
left had not advanced and in fact there w^as an ex-
posed flank to the left of two or three kilometers.
Our leading battalions in order to keep in touch
with our brigade on the right, had veered slightly
to the right and the dense woods on and approach-
ing Blanc Mont had not been cleared of enemy ma-
chine guns. It was to protect this flank that the
line of the battalion was swung in a partial semi-
76 HISTORY OP THE
circle as support to the left as indicated in the ahove !
messages.
During the afternoon the 22nd Division, French,
crossed our rear from the right and began cleaning
up the woods on our left flank, from which a great
deal of machine gun fire had been enfilading our [
positions. Elements of the 170th Division, French, ]
also came up in support of us. '
Elements of the Fifth Regiment, which during the \
afternoon and early evening had been supporting i
our left and center moved forward ahead of the line
of this regiment (ridge road) during the evening and
took up positions somewhat in advance. Our left
flank was protected during the night of October 3, 4,
by liaison patrols which connected up with the French. '
Water carts and ration carts with hot food were ■
brought up in the evening. Thereafter each night hot
food was brought up to the men in the trenches by !
Battalion Quartermaster, Lieut. Herreid, from the
rolling kitchens which were placed in the Bois de
Somme-Py.
At 6 :35 a. m., October 4th, a message was received
from C. 0. 6th, stating that measures had been taken
to strengthen our flank by the addition of chasseurs
on our left and of other French troops on their front
to our left. A lateral artillery barrage of heavy cali-
bre was arranged for on the neutral ground on our
left according to report. Combat liaison was estab-
lished on left with 3rd Battalion, 67th Regiment, 22nd
French Division at 9 :30 a. m. This French Division
attacked on our left at 9:50 a. m. and advanced to
THIRD BATTALION 77
the east. This advance however did not drive the
enemy from their strong positions on Blanc Mont
on our left flank. This was because the French
turned to the left of Blanc Mont which point had been
erroneously reported as taken.
During the early morning and most of the day our
positions were heavily shelled causing a number of
casualties. At 11:05 a. m. Lieut. Church, Command-
ing 84th Company sent word that he was shell-
shocked and could not retain command of company.
Lieut. Rowan was sent to take command of company.
At 2 :20 p. m. verbal message from 84th company that
all but two officers were casualties was received.
Lieut. Roberts of 82nd Company was ordered to take
command of the 84th.
Phone message was received at 12:50 p. m. from
Col. Lee stating that the 5th Regiment would attack
at 2:30 p. m. in accordance with Division Field Or-
der No. 37 ; the 6th Regiment would move off at same
time, as support in following order ; Second Battalion
Third Battalion and First Battalion. First Battalion
was ordered to move out immediately to cover the
left flank of the 5th Regiment on our front.
Although the attack was to begin at 2 :30 p. m. the
following message was received from the C. 0. 2nd
Battalion at 2:20 p. m. and sent in immediately to
C. 0. 6th.
'^From: C. 0. 2nd Btn. at P. C.
Date : 4 Oct. 18 1 :55 p. m. No. 1. By runner.
To: C. 0. 6th Marines.
The limits now actually held by this Btn. are East-
ern, 266.9-281.2 Western, 266.1-280.7 instead of as
78 HISTORY OF THE
previously reported. Location of barracks and roads
on our left flank (present) confused us with what
should actually have been our left flank, about 450
metres more to the left. The enemy consequently
holds a g"Ood portion of Blanc Mont and is about
150 yards distant from the lines we hold along our
Eastern flank. Their position here is heavily held
with machine guns and exposure at this point in
daylight hours subjects the men to heavy sniping
from his position, which is as commanding as our
own. The enemy covers the low ground in front of
us with his machine gun fire and advance without
heavy losses on this flank is impossible without
heavy artillery preparation on his position on our
left or until the French advance on our left and take
this position. Our effectives are approximately as
follows :
78th Co.— 95, 80th Co.— 60, 96th— 65, 79th— 85.
Casualties in officers about 40 per cent.
(Signed) Williams.'^
This meant that the Blanc Mont stronghold
had not been reduced and was still a menace on our
left. At the ''H" hour, 2:30, this battalion advanced
but the P. C. remained in same place. The compan-
ies advanced until they approached the first battal-
ion, which was still in the vicinity of the Ridge road,
and then halted. At 2 :40 phone message from C. 0.
2nd Battalion, stating that he was not going to ad-
vance because of machine gun fire of enemy on left.
Verbal orders (phone) were received from Col. Lee
at 3 :05 p. m. to halt all companies and to clean out
the machine gun nests on our left. Artillery fire
was to be concentrated on nests until 3 :35 p. m. The
THIRD BATTALION 79
battalion commander sent instructions to 97th and
82nd Companies to halt until 3 :35 and then ad-
vance on machine grin nests and reduce them. The
83rd and 84th Companies were ordered to "Stand
By" to support 97th and 82nd in this attack.
These orders for attack were delayed, however, and
because also of insufficient artillery preparation this
attack on the machine gun nests was postponed until
4:45 p. m., at which time artillery was to lift its fire
from the Blanc Mont area. Instructions were sent
to companies that the attack would begin at 4:45
p. m.
After reports by the Adjutant and Scout Officer
on enemy positions and the ineffectiveness of artil-
lery fire the Battalion Commander sent the follow-
ing message to C. 0., 6th Regiment at 4:35 p. m.
"From: 3rd Btn. C. 0.
Date: 4 Oct. 18 4:35 p. m. No. 3. By runner.
To : C. 0. 6th Regiment.
It is impossible to clean out Blanc Mont without
adequate artillery preparation. There has been no
real heavy artillery fire put in the w^oods up to
present time. They are now firing an occasional
seventy-five, which is not effective. Machine guns
are firing from there all the time. It is strongly
held. I have ordered C. 0. 97th Co. to use his judg-
ment about taking machine gun nests. It will re-
quire a heavy concentration to properl}^ prepare
for an attack. A concentration of one-half kilometer
around the words "Blanc Mont" (Tahure map
1-20.000) would be right. Will call you up as soon
as phone is working.
(Signed) Shuler."
80 HISTORY OF THE
At 5 :12 the Commanding Officer, 6th Regiment
was requested to concentrate heavy artillery fire on
one-half kilometer square around words "Blanc
Mont" from 6 to 6:30.
At 5 :15 Lieutenant Marshall carried the following
verbal order to companies, ''Fall back to road; at-
tack if possible at 6:30. And at 5:40 the following
message phoned to Commanding Officer, 6th Regi-
ment, "Don't start barrage unless I call for it. I
want to be sure companies are clear of woods."
Meanwhile the 97th and 82nd Companies at 4:45
p. m. had advanced upon the machine gun nests.
The 97th Company encountered two machine gun
nests with crews which they captured. These two
companies were still advancing when orders rea<ihed
them to fall back. Thirteen prisoners were taken by
the 97th Company.
Word was received at 6:10 p. m. that the 97th,
82nd, and 84th Companies had withdrawn from
Blanc Mont. Inasmuch as it was decided to post-
pone the attack until morning the four companies
were then ordered to retire to the positions they had
at 2:30 p. m. before they advanced.
Heavy shelling of our positions continued all after-
noon resulting in a number of casualties. Inter-
mittent shelling of positions continued throughout
the night of October 4-5. Our own artillery had been
feeble in its preparation for the attack on Blanc
Mont. Enemy fire on our positions had been much
heavier than our own "destructive" fire had been
in the area which was to be reduced. In the attack
THIRD BATTALION 81
of the following morning the artillery preparation
was heavier but by no means destructive.
At 11:00 p. m. the following order was received:
''Headquarters 6th Regiment,
Marine Corps, A. E. F.,
France, 4 Oct. 18.
Hour 9 :27 p. m.
FIELD ORDERS
1. The enemy have established a machine gun
nest on Blanc Mont.
2. The 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, will attack
and drive the enemy from this position.
3. (a) Artillery preparation with 155s and 75s
will be given between 5 :15 a. m. and 6 :15 a. m., 5
Oct., firing on the area included between the points
265.79-281.0: 266.04-281.12: 265.9-280.3': 266.2-280.4:
and after 6 :15 a. m. artillery will rake woods to the
north of this area.
(b) The 3rd Battalion will be in position to
attack at 6 :15 a. m. and will attack as soon as the
artillery fire shifts to the North of the occupied area.
4. Messages to present P. C. of 3rd Battal-
ion and thence by telephone to Regimental P. C.
(Signed) Lee.'*
In accordance with this order the Third Battalion
attacked at 6:15 a. m. advancing on left flank from
the East; 97th, 82nd and 84th in line and 83rd in
support. At 7 :35 a. m. word was received from 82nd,
84th and 97th companies that their objective Mont
Blanc was reached, and that they were digging
in. During this short engagement they captured 4
officers, 269 prisoners, 80 machine guns, a number
82 HISTORY OF THE
of trench-mortars and other material. No casualty
was sustained.
At 8 :45 a. m. the following message was sent to
the companies of this battalion:
''From : C. 0. 3rd Btn. at P. C.
Date: 5 Oct. 18 8:45 a. m. No. 1. By runner.
To : C. 0. 82, 83, 84 and 97th Companies.
The following just received from Regimental
Headquarters, 'From site. Time 8:15. This regiment
will at once be organized and be prepared to pass
through the 5th Marines when ordered. Usual for-
mation. Order of battalions, front to rear, Williams,
Shuler, Barker. — Lee.' This battalion will follow the
2nd Battalion in this order: front line, 82nd Co.,
left, 97th Co., right, 2nd line, 84th Co., left, 83rd Co.,
right. The 97th Co. will keep in touch with battalion
headquarters, 2nd Battalion, and inform the 82nd,
83rd and 84th Companies of any orders received.
This battalion will follow 2nd Btn. at usual distance
of 1,000 metres. The regimental C. 0. congratulates
us on this morning's work.
(Signed) Shuler.
The following was received by phone from C. 0.,
6th, at 12:15 p. m. and copies sent to 2nd and 1st
bns. : "The French have advanced on our left thrui
St. Etienne. This regiment will advance imme-
diately in the following order, Williams, Shuler,
Barker, passing through the 5th Regiment on our
front. Objective is beyond a line connecting Cauroy
and Machault. The liaison ^dll be kept up with the
French on our left and the 3rd Brigade on our right.
Should the 3rd Brigade be held up so that by our
>>
THIRD BATTALION 83
advancing liaison will be broken, this regiment will
halt. The movement will conform to the movement
of the French on our left. The advance is along the
lines laid out as for the attack of yesterday. The regi-
mental P. C. will move to Major Williams' present
P. C." '
The following order was received at 12 :20 p. m.
from the C. 0., 6th Regiment by phone and copies
sent to 1st and 2nd Battalions: *' Regimental Com-
mander directs that the advance will not go beyond
St. Etienne without further orders. This is the
latest order and supercedes other messages."
At 1 :00 p. m. this P. C. advanced to Blanc Mont.
At 4:30 this battalion advanced in support of
the second battalion 1,000 yards to the rear: 82nd
company left front supported by 84th, 97th, right
front supported by 83rd. The battalion advanced
as directed through light enemy artillery barrage un-
til 5 :10 p. m. when it was forced to halt and dig in,
as the second battalion was held up by enemy machine
gun fire from their right front. Information was
sent to the CO. 6th. regiment. Our P. C. was estab-
lished in cable man-hole 265.6-282.1. At 6:45 the
following order was received from the Commanding
Officer, 6th.
''From: C. 0. 6th at P. C.
Date : 5 Oct. 18 6 :20 p. m. By runner.
To : C. 0. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Btns.
As soon as light conditions will permit the first
Btn. now in third line will proceed to relieve the
3rd Bn. now in their front in 2nd line. As soon as re-
84 HISTORY OP THE
lieved by the 1st Btn. the 3rd Btn. will proceed from
the 2nd line and relieve the 2nd Btn. now in the
1st line. The 2nd Btn. as soon, as relieved by the 3rd
Btn. now in the 1st line will retire to the third line,
position just South of the road. Water carts, rolling
kitchens, etc. will be up shortly and when they ar-
rive meals will be cooked and battalion commander
notified.
(Signed) Lee."
A message was immediately sent to C. 0., 6th, sug-
gesting that if this battalion was to attack the next
morning it would be better if this battalion passed
through the 2nd battalion in the morning than to at-
tempt a relief in the dark that night. Later in the
evening an order was received for the relief to be held
in abeyance until just before daylight the following
morning. The night passed quietly.
At 1 :00 a. m., October 6th, time was moved back
one hour. At 2 :00 a. m., October 6th, the following
order was received from C. 0., 6th Regiment:
''Headquarters, 6th Regiment,
Marine Corps, American E. F.
France, 6 Oct. 18.
Hour 1 :30 a. m.
FIELD ORDER NO.
MAP— S. T. C. A. 1-20,000
1. The enemy occupies three machine gun nests
in the sector of this division about 500 yards north
of our line.
2. The Third Battalion, 6th Marines, operating in
conjunction with the 2nd battalion of the 23rd Inf.
on its right will attack and capture or destroy the
enemy and occupy the position.
THIRD BATTALION 85
3. (a) The attack begins at 6:30 a. m. and is
preceded by one hour's artillery preparation as indi-
cated in artillery program attached. At 6 :30 a. m.
an artillery barrage will move forward to the line
indicated in the artillery program where it remains
until 7 :00 a. m.
(b) Boundary limits — Eastern: the Eastern
limit of regimental sub-sector. Western: Western
limit of division sector.
(c) Upon obtaining the objective the troops
will consolidate the line indicated in red in attached
sketch.
4. Messages to Regimental P. C.
(Signed) Lee."
Copies to : C. 0. 3rd Btn. : C. G. 4th Brig. : C. 0.
5th Reg. : C. 0. 23rd. Inf. : C. 0. 62nd Inf. Fr-nch and
File."
Company Commanders were called to the Third
Battalion P. G. at 3 :00 a. m. and instructions given
for the attack. The third battalion was to advance
to the second line of trenches East of St. Etienne.
The advance was begun at 6 :30 a. m., October 6th,
and an hour later the objective was reached. The
97th Company suffered severe casualties from ma-
chine gun fire in this operation and when it advanced
again at 8 :45 a. m. met very heavy machine gun
fire from the right front. The casualties in the four
Third Battalion companies were approximately 35
to 40 per cent of the effectives engaged, mostly from
machine gun fire.
After the attack, liaison was established on right
with 23rd Infantry and on left with 62nd Regiment
86 HISTORY OF THE
(French). At 3:00 p. m. however, the French evac-
uated St. Etienne, leaving our flank exposed.
Our line and flank positions were shelled heavily
all day. An infiltration movement by the enemy was
noticed in the afternoon toward St. Etienne, which
was re-o<Jcupied by the enemy.
At 3 :30 p. m. guides were sent to Regimental Head-
quarters to bring out a reconnoitering party for sup-
posed relief. In accordance with the following mes-
sage, at 8:30 p. m., guides were sent to Regimental
headquarters to act as guides to the platoons of the
relieving 142nd Regiment, 2nd Battalion:
"From: C. 0. 6th Marines. At P. C.
Date : 6 Oct. 18 6 :40 p. m. By runner.
You will have at these headquarters, not later than
9 :00 p. m. this date a guide from each platoon, who
will act as guides to the platoons of the relieving
(142nd) Regiment. Upon the arrival of this regi-
ment for relief, these guides will escort correspond-
ing platoons of the companies to their positions in
line. Men detailed for this purpose must be familiar
with the route from these headquarters, to their
platoon positions. Upon their arrival in place the
relieved units will remain in place with the relieving
units. A copy of the Brigade Order for the relief
will be forwarded to you, as soon as the copies can
be made. The machine gun company, stokes mortars
and one pounder w^ill remain with the relieving regi-
ment until relieved by the special troops of that
regiment. Probably October 7th.
Organization commanders will furnish the neces-
sary staff officers in order to enable the officers of
the relieving regiment to make a thorough recon-
naissance of the front line. Specific orders for the
THIRD BATTALION 87
withdrawal of this regiment are necessary, and un-
til received this regiment, with the exceptions quoted
above (M. G. C, Stokes and one pounder troops)
will remain in place.
(Signed) Lee.'*
The relief was completed at 6 :00 a. m., October 7th.
This battalion remained in same position with the
2nd Battalion of the 142nd Infantry. The Machine
Gun Company, Stokes Mortars and One Pounders
were attached temporarily to relieving battalion.
This relief was completed in accordance with Fourth
Brigade, Field Order No. 21.
During the night of October 6-7 a strong combat
liaison was established with French troops on left,
who during the night had re-entered St. Etienne.
The French Commanding Officer informed Regiment-
al Headquarters that his regiment held all of the
town, and that his right was near the cemetery to
the east of the town.. He also requested that the
gap between this right and our left be closed by us.
On the morning of the 7th, the Commanding Offi-
cer, 6th Regiment, on request of Division Command-
er, asked for information as to whether the enemy*
had withdrawn from our front. Also information
was requested as to width, depth and character of
banks of small stream running thru St. Etienne.
Patrols and scouts were sent out to obtain this in-
formation. They reported that the stream was nar-
row and the banks afforded easy crossing. Front
the continual shell fire and machine gun harassment,
which our front lines were continually subjected to.
88 HISTORY OP THE
it was evident that the enemy was still in contact
with us. In fact for three days the light and heavy
artillery of the enemy played at will upon our front
line positions. Our trenches, the positions of which
were known to him, our P. C. and the lines of com-
munication were continually shelled. The enemy was
able by direct observation to fire at men in trenches
and even to snipe at runners or any other target
with their 88s. We suffered serious casualties from
this. During the first two days that the hill South-
'east of St. Etienne was occupied by us our lines
were continually harassed by machine gun nests to
our immediate right front. This continued shell fire
told greatly upon the spirits of the men who had been
in the open for over a week without blankets, with a
scanty supply of water and with but one warm meal
a day. Repeated calls for counter-battery work were
made upon our artillery during the day following our
attack on the hill Southeast of St. Etienne. Little
if any response to these calls was noticed. Our ar-
tillery devoted most of its attention to enemy infan-
try targets. When destructive fire was asked for in
certain localities meagre response was noted.
At 11 :00 a. m., October 7th, Lieutenant Noble re-
ported that his platoon had found Germans in the
trenches at the right of town, and at 2:40 p. m. the
following message was received from Lieut. Noble
and sent to Commanding Officer, 6th Regiment.
**It is estimated that at least 200 of enemy are
still in the town, and more are seen filtering from
over the hill into the town. It is believed that they
THIRD BATTALION 89
are trying to filter into the N. E. end of town, and
drive the remaining French out. Their barrage did
not play on part of town to the N. E. of church. They
occupy a trench near the town, between us and the
town. They are probably trying to strike the French
right flank and later our left flank. It is believed
necessary for the Americans to advance some troops
(probably a Btn.) to occupy trench between us and
the town as soon as possible, or else advance here.
(Signed) A. H. Noble. ^'
At 6:30 p. m. word was received from the Com-
manding Officer, 6th Regiment that the 1st Battalion
would occupy the gap between the French and our
left. This movement was completed during the night.
Our positions were heavily shelled during the day
and night of October 7th, producing a number of
casualties.
At 5 :05 a. m., October 8th the Commanding Offi-
cer of the 2nd Battalion, 142nd Regiment, whose
Battalion was in line with this battalion, and
whose battalion was badly disorganized received or-
ders to attack at 5 :4r5 a. m., the objective being Cau-
roy. After a heavy barrage the above battalion
supported by tanks advanced upon German positions.
They cleared out the machine gun nests on our right
front, and established a line east of St. Etienne,
about one kilometer from the jumping off position.
They sustained very heavy losses, took some prisoners
and became entirely disorganized.
Our battalion constituted part of division reserve
and remained in position. The following message
was sent at 1 :25 p. m. :
90 HISTORY OF THE
'^From: C. 0. 3rd Btn., 6tli Rgt.
At: P. C.
Date: 8 Oct., 18, 1:25 p. m. No. 1 by runner.
To: C. 0. 6th Rgt.
The men of this battalion are getting in very bad
shape physically. Their spirit is good and I haven't
heard a complaint, but the fact remains that they
have been through hell and are under constant shell
fire and no let up. I believe that the machine gun
nests that have worried our line so much are now
wiped out. I am getting in liasion with whatever
units are on my right and left.
(Signed) Shuler."
At 5 :00 p. m. a very heavy enemy barrage was
placed just back of the new line established by the
142nd Regiment, producing a heavy concentration
of high explosive gas. As a result the men holding
that line retreated through barrage and through our
lines, thus losing the ground gained in the morning.
This Battalion remained in line and did much in
organizing stragglers. The strong points were es-
tablished in the woods on our right front, that had
previously been enemy machine gun nests. Our orig-
inal positions were made secure. Many infantrymen;
of the 142nd Regiment reached our P. C. where they
were stopped and ordered to dig in on a newly formed
line.
Our positions continued to be heavily shelled all
day and night. At 5 :00 a. m., October 9th, a heavy
enemy barrage was placed on our position, but there
was no attack.
THIRD BATTALION 91
Efforts were made during the day by the 142nd
Regiment to reorganize and take up line in front of
our positions.
The following was the line strength of our com-
panies on the morning of October 9th.
82nd Co 1 Officer 69 men
97th Co 3 Officers 63 men
83rd Co 6 Officers 90 men
84th Co 2 Officers 65 men
12 288
At 1 :05 p. m. word was received that 6th Regi-
ment would be relieved that night and would pro-
ceed to the Suippe area. At 1 :45 p. m. billeting
party was sent out. At midnight the battalion left
the line and marched to Suippe, arriving there at
8:00 a. m., having halted for two hours at Medeah
Farm where hot breakfast was served.
Captain Jacobsen reported on October 11th and
was given comjnand of the 84th Company. The same
day 82 replacements arrived and were distributed as
follows : 82nd Company, 21 ; 83rd Company, 20 ; 84th
Company, 23; 97th Company, 18.
Advantage was taken of hot shower baths and de-
lousing equipment and all men given baths, deloused
and issued one suit of underwear each.
In accordance with Divisional Field Orders No.
42 and march table attached, this battalion marched
to Vadenay, morning of 14th, and billeted.
October 16th 136 replacements arrived and were
distributed as follows : 82nd Company, 33 ; 83rd Com-
92 HISTORY OP THE
pany, 30; 84th Company, 28; 97th Company, 45.
Captain Pink H. Stone, reported October 17 and was
assigned to command 82nd Company.
A complete drill schedule was put in effect at
Vadenay and companies were given opportunity to
reorganize. Officers and men were given liberty to
Chalons-sur-Mame.
'PROPOSED RELIEF OF 73d FRENCH"
DIVISION
At 6 :15 a. m., October 20, verbal orders were re-
ceived from Regimental Commander to prepare to
march that day. At 11:25 a. m. the following mem-
orandum was received:
** Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, American E. F.
France, 20 October, 1918.
MEMORANDUM: For C. 0., 3rd Battalion:
(1) Have your dinner as early as possible and
proceed with your battalion and train via the route
by which you came to your present billets to Suippes,
where you will occupy your former billets. Should
the billeting truck not have arrived before you leave,
direct your billeting party to await its arrival at
Vadenay. By order Colonel Lee:
Pere Wilmer, Capt. U. S. M. C, Adj.
>5
In accordance with the above memorandum bat-
talion marched at 1 :00 p. m., arriving at Suippe at
5 :30 p. m. Billeted there for the night. The follow-
ing field order was received at 3 :30 a. m., 21st
October :
THIRD BATTALION 9a
( (
Headquarters, Sixth Re^ment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. F.
France, 21 Oct., 1918.
SECRET— Field Order No. 18.
Time : 3 :10 a. m.
Maps: Sheet Verdun.
1. In accordance with Field Order No. 24, Hdq.
4th Briofade, 20 Oct., 18, this regiment will move to-
wards the line for the purpose of relieving the 73rd
D. I. (French) in the region Voncq-Attigny. _ The
sector will be occupied with both regiments of this
Brigade in the front line, the 5th Regiment on the
right, the 6th Regiment on the left. The disposition
of this regiment will be as follows: 2nd Bn. in
front line, 3rd Bn. in support, and the 1st Bn. in
reserve.
2. This regiment will march 21st Oct., 18, to the
area: Leffincourt (inch), Mazagran, area west of high
road Mazagran-Somme Py to the heights of Cha-
teau Bemont (exclusive), and Orfeuil (exclusive)^
Medeah F>arm (exclusive.)
This regiment will occupy the western part of the
above area. The disposition will be as follows: 2nd
Bn. in Leffincourt and vicinity, 3rd Bn. in Camp
Bayen Lager North, 1st Bn., Hdqr. Co., Supply Co.
and attached troops in southern part of area.
By order of Colonel Lee:
H. P. Mason, Capt. U. S. M. C,
Operations Officer."
The following modification of Field Order 18 was
received at 6 :00 a. m.
94 HISTORY OF THE
< (
>>
Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. P.
France, 21 Oct., 1918.
Field Orders No. 18.
1. Field Order No. 18, these headquarters, 21
October, 18, is modified to conform with following
Special Orders No. 41, 9th Army Corps, French:
''No. 27 road, Suippes-Somme-Py forbidden as far
as Medeah Farm. Route allowed, Perthe, Tahure,
Mont Muret, Tunel de Manre, Orfeuil. Take to the
Pistes (paths) at will."
By order of Colonel Lee:
H. P. Mason, Capt., Adjutant.'
In accordance with the above orders battalion
inarched at 8 :00 a. m., October 21, via route given.
After marching from 8 :00 a. m. until 10 :30 p. m.
(three hours rest at noon), the battalion, because of
exhausted condition of men, was halted for a few
hours' rest and men allowed to bivouac along road.
At 5 :30 a. m., October 22, the march was resumed
reaching Camp Bayen Lager North at 9 :00 a. m.
Battalion was billeted comfortably in barracks and
hot meal served at 10:30 a. m.
At 1:00 p. m. the following field message was re-
ceived :
''From: C. 0. 6th Marines.
At: Leffincourt, France.
Date: 22 Oct. 18, 8:30 a. m. by motorcycle.
To: C. 0. 1, 2 and 3 Bn.
Measures for the relief of the 73rd Division,
French, by this Brigade are discontinued, by order
of the Commanding Greneral, 9th Army Corps,
French. All movements by troops of this regiment,
THIRD BATTALION 95
except those necessary to take positions ordered in
Field Order No. 24, 20th inst., will be discontinued
and troops "vvill remain in place until further or-
ders. You will have intelligence officers furnish ac-
curate sketch of positions immediately. Lee."
At 2 :00 p. m. the following message w^as received :
''From: C. 0. 6th Marines.
At : Leffincourt.
Date: 22 Oct., 18; 11:45 a. m. By motorcycle.
To: C. 0. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Bns., Hdqrs. Sup-
ply Co. 's Surgeon.
The 2nd Division will move today, P. C. to be
at Herpont. This regiment remains in position today
and will move tomorrow. We are returning to the
First Army. Give careful attention to the feet of
the men ; avoid loss of any equipment. Further de-
tails later. Lee."
MEUSE-ARGONNE OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
In accordance with subsequent orders Battalion
marched at 7:30 a. m., Oct. 23rd, via Somme-Py ar-
riving at ''Camp Four-Fifths'" four kilometers
Northeast of Suippes, at 5 :30 p. m. Train arrived at
6 :15 p. m. and hot meal was given men at 8 :30 p. m.
Battalion remained in place in this camp, cleaning
up and resting until morning of 25th.
The battalion marched at 5 :45 a. m. October 25th to
Somme-Suippes where Battalion embussed and de-
parted at 8 :45 a. m. arriving at Les Islettes at 1 :00
p. m. Disembarked and marched four kilometers to
Camp Lochere in Argonne Forest. Bivouacked for
96 HISTORY OF THE
night.
October 26th companies were paid by Regimental
Pajrmaster and marched at 4:00 p. m. in accordance
with the following order:
** Headquarters, Sixth Resriment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. P.
France, 26 October, 1918.
Field Orders No. 20.
1. In accordance T\ath Field Orders No. 31, Hdq.
4th Brigade, 26 Oct., 1918, this regiment will march
to the woods on the left of the Exermont-Chaudron
Farm road in the square whose co-ordinates are
01-80, 02-80, 01-79, 02-79 and will take station in this
woods in the following order :
1st Bn. in northern part.
3rd Bn. in the central part.
2nd Bn. in the southern part.
2. The Regiment -r^II march as follows:
(a) Route of March for troops and machine
guns:
Chemin-Romaine-Tranche running north
through Foret-de-Argonne-Varennes north
to National Route — 200 yards along that
route north to Charpentry-Baulny and north
to destination.
The above route will be followed except
where impossible.
(b) Route of March for Trains:
Trains will march via routes which were
found by reconnaissance parties despatched
25 October to be most practicable, keeping
as near as possible to the prescribed route
of troops and clear of guarded roads.
(c) Order of March:
1st Bn., 3rd Bn. 2nd Bn.
THIRD BATTALION 97
The Hdq. Co. will follow the 2nd Bn. and
the Supply Co. the 3rd Bn.
The leading element will march at 1 :30
p. m., this date and unit commanders will
be responsible for appropriate distances be-
tween units.
Trains will follow their respective organiza-
tions.
Major Shuler will send one guide each to the
1st and 2nd Bns.
(d) The road will be kept clear for the pass-
ing through of the 5th Regiment.
(e) The strictest road discipline will be ob-
served and the usual open march formation
will be taken. The head of the column will
not debouch from the forest to the S. E.
of Varennes until dusk or such time as the
movements of troops will be secure fromi
aerial observation.
3. (a) Ration distributing point from 12:45 p. m.
27 Oct., 1918, Baulny.
(b) Advanced S. A. A. dump (including 1 lb.,
Stokes Mortar, hand and rifle grenades) at Western
exit of Exermont from evening of 26 October, '18.
Provisions must be made for issuing two rifle and
two hand grenades to each man.
4. P. C. of this regiment will be at Chaudron
Farm.
5. Rear echelon of this regiment will be at the
present location of the regimental P. C. Company.
Clerks will be sent to report to the Regimental Per-
sonnel Officer at this point, this date.
By order of Colonel Lee:
Pere Wilmer, Maj. Marine Corps, Adj."
After a very difficult march, over rough roads
and through deep mud battalion arrived in position
98 HISTORY OF THE
ordered at 3 :DQ a. m., October 27tli and bivouacked.
Train arrived at 5 :30 a. m. and breakfast was served
to men at 10 :00 a. m. Battalion remained in this
position until October 30th.
On October 28th Major Fagan, with one officer and
one NCO. from each company and two of the Bat-
talion Scouts reconnoitered the support position that
this battalion was to take up, relieving 42nd Division.
During stay in this position all men were pro\dded
with 220 rounds of rifle ammunition, two hand gren-
ades and two rifle grenades each and two days' re-
serve rations.
October 30th Mjajor General Summerall, Command-
ing 5th Army Corps, accompanied by Major General
LeJeune, spoke to the Battalion for a few minutes on
the purpose and importance of the impending attack.
Battalion marched at 6 :00 p. m., October 30, by
companies, to support position, relieving battalion of
the 166th Infantry. 15th machine gun company re-
ported.
The following order Vv^as received at 6:00 p. m.,
October 31st:
< i
Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, A. E. F.
France, 31 October, 1918.
Field Orders No. 23.
1. Battalions will move to suitable covered posi-
tions so as to be ready to attack tomorrow morning,
November 1st. This movement may commence at
once and must be completed by 2 :30 a. m.
2. At on-ce on arrival in this position battalion
commander will send to the Regimental P. C. a re-
THIRD BATTALION 99
port of their exact location and a statement that they
are ready to attack. Battalion signal personnel will
establish phone connections at these ''jump off" posi-
tions.
3. "II" hour will be communicated to organiza-
tions as soon as known.
4. Just before leaving their present positions for
the "jump off" positions, each battalion commander
will telephone to the Regimental P. C. the code word
Paris. H. Lee,
Colonel, U. S. M. C, Commanding."
In accordance with the above order companies
moved out on previously reconnoitered routes to their
"jump off" positions. Battalion headquarters re-
mained in place until word was received that all
companies were in position, at midnight.
The following Field Order giving zero day and
hour was received at 9 :00 p. m.
Headquarter Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. F.
France, 31 Oct. 18.
Field Order No. 24.-8 :40 p. m.
1. There is no change in the information of the
enemy and our own troops.
2. This regiment forms for attack.
3'. (a) The battalions and liaison groups will move
into position by 2 hours (2:00 a. m.) November 1st,
1918, to carry out the missions assigned them by
Field Orders No. 49 Hq. 2nd Div., dated 31 Oct.
1918 at 7:00 hours.
(b) All elements of the 2nd Bn. 156th Inf. must be
in rear of the line of departure of this regiment by
three hours (3:00 a. m.) November 1st, 1918.
100 HISTORY OF THE
(c) "D** day— November 1, 1918.
*'H'^ hour — Five thirty hours (5:30 a. m.)
4. (a) Liaison — No change.
(b) Administrative arrangements — No change.
(c) M. P. will take over prisoners of war north
of Sommerance on the Sommerance-Landres-et-St
Georges road.
5. P. C. of this regiment — No change.
H. Lee, Col. U. S. M. C, Comdg.
During the night of October 31-November 1, this
battalion moved into its jumping off position North-
east of Sommerance, from whence it moved out at
5 :30 a. m. in support of the First Battalion and con-
tinued its advance until 8 :00 a. m. when it passed
through First Battalion and halted at the first objec-
tive. At 8 :14 a. m. the following message was sent :
"From: Commanding Officer Third Battalion.
To. Commanding Officer Sixth Regiment.
My two leading companies are on first objective,
following companies on ridge in position to ad-
vance at proper time. Few casualties. Barker is
near me. Have met two companies of Williams
back of St. Georges. Made good time since last
message.
G. K. Shuler, Major, U. S. M. C.
> >
At 9 :00 a. m. it took up the advance as the leading
battalion closely following our own barrage, until
the second objective was reached at 12 :30 p. m. where
the battalion dug in and the Second and First bat-
talions passed thru and continued the advance. At
11 :00 a. m. the following message was sent:
THIRD BATTALION 101
^'From: Commandinf^ Officer Third Battalion.
To: Conimanding Officer Sixth Regiment.
We are in Chennery and Bayonville and passing
up to 2nd objective. Took about 100 prisoners here
by using tank assisted by riflemen. About 100
enemy retreated from their guns to woods south-
east of Sivry. The woods north of 2nd objective
should be well shelled. Have taken 6 88s. Scouts
just reported that we hold Chenery and Bayonville.
Enemy are shelling from woods north of Bayonville.
G. K. Shuler, Major, U. S. M. C."
Our P. C. was established in Bayonville. The fol-
lowing prisoners and materials were captured by this
battalion during its advance :*
Prisoners 250
Cannon 27 (including one 8 inch gun)
Machine Guns .... 30
Rifles 100
Horses 12
Ambulances 3
Signal Outfit
Ammunition
Dynamo
The following losses were sustained :t
Officers Men
Killed 0 21
Wounded 2 57
IVIissing 2 12
Three tanks reported after the first objective had
been obtained and were assigned to the 83rd Com-
pany and placed under the command of Captain
Noble. These tanks moved forward when we ad-
•Estimated by company commanders.
tTaken from company reports at the time.
102 HISTORY OF THE
vanced and kept up with the leading elements. Upon
reaching the outskirts of Chennery and while under
cover of the crest of a hill it was found possible U
maneuver the 83rd Company and tanks to flank i,
battery of four enemy 77mm guns. This battery was
firing direct fire into the left of our sector and was
taken completely by surprise from their left flank.
One tank approached and covered the advance of
a squad of riflemen and sldllful use of its one-pound-
er and riflemens' weapons compelled the surrender
of one officer and 75 artillerymen, who were man-
ning the battery. As a result of this operation over
200 of the enemy from different points of the ravine
were observed retreating on the run to the woods
Northeast of Sivry. The three tanks upon the at-
tainment of the second objective went forward with
the Second Battalion when that battalion passed
through. The work of the tanks was most commend-
able. The officers in charge co-operated in every way
possible.
It is desired to make special mention of the matter
in which Bayonville was taken and organized. Capt.
Noble of the 83rd Company cleaned the town thor-
oughly of the enemy. He was able to do this because
of the thorough manner in which his preparation
had been made. By a careful study of maps of the
town and by assignment of units to do certain work
the capture of the town was affected in a systematic
and business like manner. With no losses in his Com-
pany 100 prisoners were taken and the town taken.
THIRD BATTALION 103
Captain Jacobsen and 84th Company following the
83rd were assigned the task of cleaning up and hold-
ing the town. This was done thoroughly and syste-
matically. Before the arrival of Battalion Headquar-
ters Captain Jacobsen had organized an evacuation
hospital under charge of Major Schultz of the Ger-
man Medical Corps; had three Grerman ambulances
in operation and was caring for and evacuating
•both our o\^Ti and German wounded. Patrols were
mounted on captured German horses and doing effec-
tive work between the front line and rear. All dug-
outs had been located so that upon arrival of the
various Hdq. all units were properly housed without
confusion. The efforts of Captain Jacobsen in this
town which was constantly under shell fire were most
commendable.
The rolling kitchens arrived in Bayonville at 10 :30
a. m., November 2, and went to the positions near
their respective companies.
The following orders were received at 3:00 a. m.
November 3rd.
*'The 4th Brigade will continue its advance in ac-
cordance with Field Orders No. 53, 2nd Division, 2nd
Nov., 1918. The 3rd Brigade takes up the advance at
6 :00 a. m. 3rd November, 1918, from line of exploita-
tion.
The Brigade will advance in line of Regiments,.
5th Marines on right and 6th Marines on left. The
4th Machine Gun Battalion attached, will take po-
eitions in the march column about one kilometer irt
rear of the rear battalion 6th Regiment.
104 HISTORY OF THE
Ri^ht and left combat liaison forces will continue
to operate as directed in Field Orders No. 36, 4tli
Brigade, 2nd November, 1918, until further orders.
Ration distribution point the same.
Rolling kitchens, water carts, etc., and combat
trains will move forward with troops as directed by
organization Commanders.
P. C. 4th Brigade remains in place.
By command of Brigadier General Neville:
Earl H. Ellis, Lt. Col., U. S. M. C, Adj.
Note — The 6th Regiment moves forward at 6 :00 a.
m., following the 23rd Inf. Details as given in
^'Warning" issued from these Hdq. 10:45 p. m., 2
November, 1918. H. Lee,
Colonel, U. S. M. C."
Received 1 :00 a. m. 3rd Nov.
"^'Warning:
The 3rd Brigade will move tonight, 2-3 November,
1918, to the heights beyond the exploitation line,
organizing there prepared for forward movement.
The 23rd Inf. will advance through this regiment in
its present position. It is understood that they will
pass in column formation (not affecting a regular
passage of lines nor in any manner a relief).
The 2nd Bn. (Williams) will establish liaison
'Rdth the rear elements of the 23rd Inf. by means of
a group of one officer and four runners. The 1st
Bn. (Barker) will establish similar liaison with our
First battalion. This liaison is established in order
that early word of any forward movement of the
23rd Inf. may be had with least practicable delay.
In case the 23rd Inf. should make a forward
movement, this regiment will follow in support of
them at 1.000 yards distance. If for combat, it will
move in three lines, present order of battalions. If
for pursuit, in the best formation adapted to security,
THIRD BATTALION 105
maintaining the liaison with elements ahead. The
left liaison group, Major Stowell, will in case of any
forward movement, operate as combat liaison be-
tween the leading element of this reg-iment and the
80th Division on our left.
All auxiliary troops will march as now attached.
All troops will be prepared to move at daylight.
Rolling kitchens, water and ration carts will ac-
company their organizations. Other elements of the
regiment's train (B & R) wagons, combat wagons,
etc., will, be organized by the Supply Officer and
follow the rear elements at 2 kilometers.
All assigned mounts will be sent to this P. C".
by daybreak, morning of 3 November, 1918.
Organization commanders will inform these head-
quarters as to the number of reserve rations required.
Supply Officer will inform to the number of reserve
rations available.
If forvv^ard movement is taken up, this P. C. will
be with the rear element of the 3rd Btn.
LEE."
In accordance with the above orders this Battalion
moved into position just Southeast of Fosse, one kilo-
meter in rear of the First Battalion, arriving at
11 :00 a. m., November 3rd.
At 11 :00 a. m. the following message was sent :
''From: Commanding Officer Third Battalion.
To: Commanding Officer Sixth Regiment.
Position sketch submitted. 1st Battalion 6th
Regiment 1 kilometer west of my front. Fosse is
being shelled. Wounded from 23rd say they are
several kilometers north of Fosse.
G. K. Shuler, Major, U. S. M. C."
Rolling kitchens accompanied their companies and
serv'ed hot meals in the afternoon.
106 HISTORY OF THE
At 11 :00 a. m. November 4, in accordance with ver-
bal orders from Regl. Comdr. the battalion moved,
following the advance of the First battalion, to posi-
tion one kilometer North of Fosse. Battalion P. C.
and kitchens remained in position; hot meal sent to
all companies at 2 :00 p. m.
The following order was received at 2 :00 p. m.,
November 4th:
*' Fourth Brigade will occupy the right subsector
of the 2nd Division in accordance with Operation
Memorandum, 2nd Division, 4 November, time,
10:45 a. m. and Memorandum No. 29, Headquarters
4th Brigade, 4 November, 18 time, 11 :30 a. m. both
memos herewith.
In accordance with paragraph 2 (b) Memorandum
4th Brigade, the 2nd Battalion (Maj. Williams) will
advance to the new subsector via the road Fosse-La
Forge Fme to the crossroads about 350 yards south-
east of the farm thence northeast along the woods
road to point 6333, then northeast to the ridge about
1,000 yards, holding a line running northwest-south-
east from 7038 to 7830.
The 1st Battalion (Berry) will move along the
Fosse-Belval road to Harbeaumont fme at 4406,
thence northeast along the woods road to a position
along the line 6333 to 6921.
The 3rd Battalion (Shuler) from Cote Jean by
same road as 1st Battalion to a position along the
line from 6017 to 7011.
Each organization will have its rolling kitchens,
water and ration carts accompany it to a point from
which the ration carts may supply their companies
with cooked food.
The 5th Regiment will occupy the forward part
of our subsector, this Regiment serving as their sup-
THIRD BATTALION 107
port. The rear battalion of the 5th Regiment should
rest about 1,000 meters northeast of the ridge occu-
pied by our first line Battalion (Williams). Major
Williams will exchange with the rear battalion of
the 5th regiment a liaison group sufficient to guar-
antee the transmission of messages and information
between the regiments. The 2nd and 3rd line bat-
talions will by similar means relay messages from
head to rear and reverse.
The combat liaison detachment (Major Stowell)
which has been maintained between this Brigade and
the 80th Division on our left, will move to LaForge
fme and keep liaison with the 80th Division until
liaison has been established between that Division
and the 3rd Brigade. When this has been effected by
the 3rd Brigade our liaison detachment will rejoin its
battalion on its new position. Major Stowell vnll
then relieve Major Beriy of command of the 1st Bat-
talion and Major Berry will report to the command-
ing officer, 3rd Battalion, for duty.
In moving to position battalions will take up such
formation as to insure security on the march. It
is reported that artillery and machine guns of the
enemy remain in the woods through which the mar&h
is to be made. Efforts should be made to complete
the movement before dark.
Each battalion will endeavor by means of patrols
to establish liaison with the elements of the 89th
Division opposite them on our right.
Sketch of positions will be sent by each battalion
to the P. C. of the regiment as soon as practicable
after taking position as prescribed above.
All transportation not enumerated above will con-
Btitute the regimental train under command of
Captain Patchen, who will locate with it at Nouart.
This P. C. within a few hours will be moved to
Belval."
108 HISTORY OP THE
In accordance with above orders the battalion
moved from above position at 4:00 p. m. arriving at
7 :50 p. m. in position in Bois de Belval, along line
from 6017 to 7011. At 7:50 p. m. the following mes-
sage was sent:
''From: Commanding Officer Third Battalion.
To: Regt. Commander Sixth Regiment.
Position sketch submitted. Have sent patrol to
locate any of 89th on right, 3rd Battalion 5th (front
line Battalion) just passed through going northwest.
Got word from Berry this p. m. that he was moving
forward so I left. I got word from him on the way
that he was ordered to stay where he was. At this
time I was within 1 kilometer of my place so came
on. G. K. Shuler, Major U. S. M. C.
Ration carts arrived with hot meaJs at 10:30 p. m.
and the kitchens arrived next morning in time to
serve noon meal.
The battalion remained in this position until 1 :30
p. m., November 7th, when in accordance with Regi-
mental Field Orders No. 27 as modified by Operation
Memorandum 10 :50 a. m., November 7th, it moved
to position in Northwest corner of Bois du Pour, ar-
riving at 4 :50 p. m. The kitchens arrived at 10 :00
a. m. next morning.
In accordance with Regimental orders the Battal-
ion C. 0. went to Regimental P. C. for the night,
November 8th and the battalion under the command
of Major Berry moved into position two kilometers
south of La Thibaudine Farm, arriving at 10:00 p.
m., November 8th. Kitchens arrived at 8:30 a. m.
THIRD BATTALION 109
the following morning. Hot meals were served this
day and battalion rested until midnight. Regimental
runner with orders for further movement became
lost and did not locate battalion until 10 :30 p. m. 8th.
Major Shuler, who returned to battalion about 1 :00
p. m., sent Lieut. Minter on horseback to Regimental
Headquarters about 10:00 p. m. to report the non-
arrival of expected orders for movement. As Regi-
mental runner had left Regimental Headquarters at
6 :00 p. m. with the order for movement to the Bois
de L 'Hospice, Major Shuler delayed movement until
the return of Lieut. IMinter at 11 :30 p. m. to avoid
any possibility of change of orders since runner start-
ed. Immediately upon the return of Lieut. Minter
the order for movement was given and battalion
marched to Bois de L 'Hospice two kilometers east
of Yoncq, at 2:30 a. m., November 9th.
Major Berry and one officer from each companyf
were sent on reconnaissance trip to banks of Meuse,
leaving at 5 :00 a. m. and returning late in the morn-
ing. Here the battalion remained until the evening
of the 10th. Ration carts made tw^o trips each day
with hot heals and spirits of both officers and men
arose with the prospect of the armistice.
At 4:00 p. m., November 10th, the day preceding
the armistice, the battalion commander was called
to Regimental Headquarters and given instructions
for the crossing of the Meuse and attack on the
heights on the east bank that night. He returned at
7 :20 p. m. and immediately called the Company
Commanders for a short conference. As there waa
110 HISTORY OF THE
only one map each, company commander had to be
taken into camouflaged tent and shown by the light
of a candle the route to be taken and the objectives.
Meanwhile the companies were preparing to march
and at 8 :(X) p. m. we moved out, marching rapidly
in column of file. After fast marching of two and
a half hours battalion arrived at point on railway
304.7-316.7. Lieutenant Slade, of the 2nd Engineers
reported that one pontoon bridge had been carried
from that point to the river at nine o'clock and that
lie was waiting for report from another engineer offi-
cer on the water front as to whether the bridge was
ready to be thrown across the Mouse. Lieut. Slade
was told that it would be absolutely necessary to put
two bridges ax^ross in order to effeet a crossing and
that every assistance possible would be given him.
A runner was sent to river bank but at midnight he
had not returned and the following message was sent :
''From: C. 0. 3rd Btn.
To: C. 0. 6th Regt.
Arrived at this point at 10:30 p. m. Was held
up over half hour because of heavy shelling of Pour-
ron. Was compelled to go around. Met guides at
proper place. Stowell and Larson not here yet.
Metcalf here. Engineer Officer, Lieut. Slade, had
one pontoon carried to river at 9 :00 p. m. The Of-
ficer with it was to report to Slade when he was
ready to put bridge over. He has not reported and
I have had Slade send a runner down to find out
the reason for the delay. This runner has not re-
turned. There is considerable machine gun fire on
river front. Slade says when the bridge was taken
^
* *
^^
• «
••>•
% •
4'*'
.* «
••*•.
• •
« « «
* «
*« •
'« «
yo/v/^
• «
• •
nK^
,nN
f^
o
* %^
* «
%%
♦•
-i
P>
% 4
•••
% ft
• «
f« «
% «
•O
««
% %
V.»i '.
!AW
><»?&
\ •
MAU"
M.
Se^VAu
2 S
o c
:2; "=
"^
o
p.
o
o
Oh
00
o
-t->
■J^ 00
:z;
o
+->
o
0)
0)
c
c
o
he
;-(
I
0)
C3
o
CO
'TS
(M
d)
s
o
CO
• l-H
75
c«
C3
o
^
c
o
a
U
00
1—1
05
(1>
4->
M
C3
o
-M
03
3
m
o
>
m .2
00
o
:2;
CO
C3
O
Oh
m
c3
O
00
CJ3
THIRD BATTALION 111
down at 9 :00 p. m. this fire started. He thinks the
enemy have guns opposite the place his men are on
river front. He suggests that he put one bridge
over and start one battalion and then put the sec-
ond one over. I have told him that we want both
to go over at the same time. This is the only way
to do now that we know the enemy are opposite and
on the alert. As soon as Stowell and Larson come
up with their battalion and Slade gets his report
that they are ready we will go across and do our
best. I will let Slade have 40 men to carry the sec-
ond pontoon to river.
G. K. Shuler, Major, U. S. M. C.
At 12 :05 a. m. a report was received that the First
Battalion of 6th Regiment and Third Battalion 5th
Regiment had arrived and were in rear of troops al-
ready in place. At the same time the Engineer Offi-
cer reported from the river front that he could throw
across one bridge w^hen we were ready. Lieut. Slade
stated that with forty men in addition to his own
attachment, he could carry to the river and place
across a second bridge. Forty men — twenty from
3rd and twenty from the 1st Battalion, were placed
at his disposal. The Battalion Scout Officer accom-
panied Lieut. Slade to the river front and returned
and reported at 2:15 that it would be 4:00 a. m. at
least before the engineers would have two pontoon
bridges ready to throw across the river. At 3 :00 a. m.
the following message was sent:
''From: Commanding Officer Third Battalion.
To: Commanding Officer Sixth Regiment.
Pontoons are not ready yet. If not ready so we
can cross at 4 a. m. will be obliged to call it off.
112 HISTORY OF THE
Too near daylight to do the work without artillery.
It will take at least an hour to cross pontoons. "We
will, if we leave here, go first woods and bivouac.
Larson came in just after I sent last message.
G. K. Shuler, Major, U. S. M. C.
It was decided that if bridges were not ready so
that troops could be marched across and on East
bank of Meuse by 5 :00 a. m., not to attempt a cross-
ing. At 4:00' a. m., no report having been received
that the bridges were ready the orders were givens
for the battalions of the Sixth Regiment and Third
Battalion of Fifth to return to Bois de L'Hospice,
arriving there at 6 :30 a. m., November 11th.
''From Brigadier General Neville, Comdg. 4th Brig.
At: P. C.
To: C. 0. 6th Marines.
The following telephone message received from
Surprise One, 6 :35 a. m. this morning, forwarded
for compliance: '8:30 a. m. Fifth Corps — Armistice
signed and takes effect at 11:00 a. m. this morning.
Accurate map showing locations of front line ele-
ments including patrols and detachments will be sent
to these headquarters without delay' — Neville.
For your information and compliance as regards
location of your organization.
5 >
Battalion remained in place in Bois de L 'Hospice
until 10:00 a. m., November 13th, when it marched
by companies to Le Faubourg and Villemontry in
accordance with the following^ order :
THIRD BATTALION 113
< <
Headquarters, Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, Am. E. F.,
France, 13 November, 1918.
FIELD ORDER
No. 28.
1. You will move in accordance with. Brigade
Field Order No. 63. The 3rd Battalion will move
two (2) companies to Villemontry. The other
Lwo companies to Le Faubourg, for billets, relieving
elements of the 23rd Infantry located in these towns.
The relief is effe<?tive at noon this date. Have your
rolling kitchens, ration and water carts proceed im-
mediately and move your troops as quickly as pos-
sible in order to effect relief on time. The 1st Bat-
talion will remain in its present position.
2. This P. C. will move either to Villemontry or
Bivodeau Fme.
Lee."
Eighty-Third and 97th Companies billeted at Vil-
lemontry. Battalion Headquarters, 82nd and 84th
companies billeted at Le Faubourg de Mouzon, re-
lieving elements of 23rd Infantry.
At 1 :00 p. m., November 14th battalion headquar-
ters, 82nd and 84th companies marched to Villemon-
try having been relieved by the 1st Battalion, 308th
Infantry. Officers' baggage and men's packs were
brought up from Chaudron Farm and Sommerance
by trucks and distributed November 14th. Battalion
remained at Villemontry until 5 :00 a. m., November
17th and considerable new clothing was issued, in-
cluding leather jerkins and overcoats. No shoes were
received although badly needed.
114 HISTORY OP THE
MARCH TO THE RHINE
At 9 :15 p. m., November 16th the following order
was received:
< (
Headquarters Sixth Regiment,
Marine Corps, A. E. F.
France, 16 November, 1918.
FIELD ORDERS
No. 29.
1. In order to follow the Fifth Regiment who
clear Pouilly with their advance guard at 5 :30 a. m.
tomorrow 17th instant, it will be necessary for the
train of the Third Battalion to leave Villemontry
at 4:00 a. m. The train of the 1st and 2nd Bat-
talions should leave Bois du Fond de Limon at 5 :00
a. m. The 3rd Battalion will march at 5 :00 a. m.
via the bridge opposite. Villemontry, thence South
along the road on w^est edge of the Bois des Flavieres-
Almagisors, thence eastward along the road to the
latter woods, thence south along the farm Vigneron-
Pouilly road to Pouilly. The 1st and 2nd Battalions
will march from Villemontry in rear of the 3rd Bat-
talion. Its train will follow the train of the 3rd Bat-
talion. The Supply Company will leave Beaumont
in time to arrive at Pouilly and follow in rear of the
Headquarters Company at 7 :00 a. m., from that place.
The Machine Gun Companies will follow battalions
to which attached.
2. It will be absolutely necessary to leave prompt-
ly on the hours indicated in order to properly join
the column. If the battalion and company desks,
typewriters, etc. are not delivered to organizations
tonight, they will be picked up by the train at
Pouilly.
H. Lee, Colonel, USMC, Commanding.'*
THIRD BATTALION 115
In accordance with the above order, at 5:00 a. m.,
November 17th, the battalion began its movement
toward the Rhine, crossing the Meuse on pontoon
bridge at Villemontry and joining Brigade column
as the last battalion in line at Pouilly. This regiment
halted for the night at Laferte, arriving there at 2 :00
p. m. (Field orders-Brigade No. 42, Regimental No.
29).
The following morning (November 18) at 8:00 a.
m. the march was resumed, this battalion being again
last in Brigade column. Battalion arrived at La
Hage, Belgium at 5 :00 p. m., having crossed the Bel-
gian border at Villers at 10:50 a. m. A delegation
from the town of La Hage met the battalion at Belle
Fontaine and escorted the column with music and
banners to billets at La Hage. A great reception was
given the troops throughout the day's march. Flags
and fireworks were in evidence everywhere. Battal-
ion remained in this place 36 hours. The march was
resumed at 5:30 a. m., November 20th. The Sixth
Regiment was assigned as the advance guard and
this battalion detailed as the main body of the ad-
vance regiment but, due to the failure of the 1st
Battalion to arrive at the appointed time at the ren-
dezvous given, Major Shuler received verbal orders
from the Regimental Commander at 9:00 a. m. to
take up the flank guard with two companies on the
right flank and two companies on the left flank. Bat-
talion Headquarters and the 82nd and 84th Compan-
ies took up the right flank guard and the 83rd and
97th companies covered the left flank. Battalion
116 HISTORY OF THE
Headquarters and 84th Company joined the 83rd
and 97th Companies for billets at Bonnert, the 82nd
Company going to Frassem for billets. (Field orders,
Brigade No. 46, Regimental No. 30).
At 7 :30 the next morning the march was resumed,
this battalion again being assigned to flank guard.
The 83rd and 97th marched as left flank while the
battalion headquarters and 84th company marched
to Frassem and, together with 82nd company, made
up the right flank guard. The 83rd and 97th Com-
panies arrived at Schandel, Luxembourg, at 1:00 p.
m. and billeted there, being joined at 3 :00 p. m. by
Battalion Headquarters and the 84th Company, the
82nd having billeted at Bowingen, as liaison with
3rd Brigade. (Field orders, Division No. 70, Regi-
mental No. 31).
During the night 330 replacements arrived and.
were bivouacked and fed.
At 6:45 a. m., November 22nd the march was re-
sumed, this battalion, less one company, being the
reserve of the advance guard. The 82nd Company
was detailed as right flank guard and proceeded to
Schrondweiler independently. The remainder of the
battalion left the regimental column at Colmar-Berg
and proceeded to Cruchten for billet, arriving at
11:30 a. m. Here the replacements who had been
marching as a separate company were distributed
among the four companies of the battalion ; and Lieut.
Conahan, who had reported the previous night, was
assigned to 82nd Company. (Field orders. Regiment-
al No. 32).
THIRD BATTALION 117
The march was resumed at 7 :00 a. m. the 23rd with
the Sixth Regiment as advance ^ard and this bat-
talion vanguard of the advance guard. The 84th Com-
pany halted for billet at Beforthaide at 1 :00 p. m.,
the remainder of the Battalion arriving at Dillingen,
on the Sauer river (German border) at 3:00 p. m.,
where two companies were billeted and one (97)
bivouacked. (Field orders, Brigade No. 49, Regiment-
al No. 32).
There being an insufficient number of billets in
town the 83rd and 97th companies were moved Nov.
25th, to Beforthaide for billet. November 24th the
Regimental signal men, one Stokes Mortar and crew
and one one-pounder and crew reported. The sec-
tor and bridgehead were organized for defense. The
15th machine gun company reported and was billeted
in farm one kilometer south of Dillingen. Twelve
machine guns were placed at advantageous points
covering bridge approaches and possible landing
points on river. One-pounder and Stokes Mortars
were placed in position to shell bridge. Strong out-
posts and patrols were placed along Sauer river cov-
ering front assigned to this battalion. A drill sched-
ule was followed while in this area and between 9 :00
p. m. and 4:00 a. m. the night of November 30-Dec-
ember 1, some clothing and equipment were issued.
Shoes were received but not enough of each size to
equip men. When march was resumed some fifty
men marched with their feet on the ground.
At 8:15 a. m., December 1, the battalion resumed
its march, crossing the Sauer river into Germany at
118 HISTORY OF THE
the "Wallendorf bridge at 9:15 a. m. as the last bat-
talion in the Brigade column. Battalion split at
Neuerburg, the 82nd and 84th companies and 15th
machine gnn company going to Scheuren for billets
and the Battalion Headquarters and 83rd and 97th
companies going to Plascheid for billets. (Field Or-
ders. Division No. 30, Brigade No. 30, Regimental
No. 33).
The next morning the march was resumed at 6 :30,
the 82nd and 84th companies joining column on the
Neuerburg-Waxweiler road, this battation being again
last in brigade column. Battalion left column at
Waxweiler and proceeded to Lambertsburg, and
Grimelscheid for billets. 83rd and 97th companies
were billeted at Lambertsburg at 1 :00 p. m. and the
82nd and 84th companies and the 15th machine gun
company billeted in Greimelscheid with Battalion
Headquarters. (Regimental Operations Memoran-
dum No. 1).
At 5:30 a. m., December 3rd battalion marched
to join column at Waxweiler as last battalion in bri-
gade column. Battalion left Regimental column at
Prum and arrived at Giesdorf for billet at 3 :00 p. m,
(Regimental Field Order No. 33).
The Division remained in place December 4th but
this battalion, in accordance with Regimental Opera-
tions Memorandum No. 2, marched independently to
Duppach, leaving Giesdorf at 7:00 a. m. and arriv-
ing at Duppach at 1:00 p. m. where battalion was
billeted.
THIRD BATTALION 119
At 7:00 a. m., December 5tli the battalion again
marched independently, arriving at Hillesheim at
12:30 p. m., the remainder of the Division being
halted. (Brigade Field Order No. 53.) — These in-
dependent moves were made in order to get into po-
sition to march eastward on the left flank of the
divisional zone when the Division resumed its march
December 6th.
At 7 :30 a. m., December 6th this battalion, with
Company *'D" of the 2nd Engineers and the 15th
machine gun company, marched as vanguard of the
leading regiment, arriving at Ahrhutte at 1 :00 p. m.
where the 83rd and 84th companies, the 15th machine
gun company and the Battalion train w^ere billeted.
The Battalion Headquarters and the 82nd and 97th
Companies continued the march to Udelhoven where
they were billeted together with Company '*D" of
the 2nd Engineers. (Regimental Field Order No.
34).
The march was resumed at 7:00 a. m., December
7th, the battalion assembling on the main road at
Ahrdorf and again marching as vanguard. InsuII
was reached at 2:00 p. m. and this battalion (less
one company), Company "D" Engineers and Troop
''L", 2nd Cavalry billeted. The 97th Company con-
tinued the march to Dumpelfeld where it billeted
as outpost company. Divisional Field Order No. 78.
Regimental Field Order No. 35).
The following morning (December 8th) the march
was resumed on the river road at 7:00 a. m. This
battalion with the 15th machine gun company and
120 HISTORY OF THE
Company "D" 2nd Engineers, attached, continued
to lead the Brigade column until it reached the Rhine.
Battalion reached Neunahr at 4:00 p. m. where en-
tire battalion was billeted.
At 6 :45 a. m., December 9th the march was re-
sumed and continued to Brohl-on-the-Rhine which
was reached at 12 :00 noon. Battalion billeted here
and remained until 5 :00 a. m., December 13th, when
it marched up the Rhine to Andernach and crossed
on the Andernach-Leutesdorf Feriy, billeting in Leu-
tesdorf. The battalion train, which w'as ordered to
proceed north to Remagen and cross on the bridge
did not arrive until 2 :00 a. m., December 14th.
At Leutesdorf, Battalion took up regular program
of training and December 31st found it still in place.
The seven and a half months of 1919 that were
spent on the Rhine were without unusual activity.
A training schedule varying from open warfare man-
euvers and demonstrations to rifle practice and close
order drill was carried on throughout this period.
There were several Divisional Reviews held on the
heights of Vallendar and Gladbach. This battalion
participated in ceremonies reviewed by Greneral Persh-
ing, Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, Chief
of Naval Operations, Admiral Benson, besides two
decoration ceremonies on its own drill grounds re-
viewed by the Division Commander. At these cere-
monies decorations were given to men for gallantry
in action on all the fronts from the Chateau Thierry
salient to the Argonne. The Regimental colors were
decorated three times with the Croix de Guerre with
THIRD BATTALION 121
palm, and had the battle ribbons for all the fronts
put on.
In early Februarj^ four officers and two hundred
men from the battalion were detached for service
with the 2nd Engineers, who were constructing bar-
racks, mess halls and corrals all over the Divisional
area. Two officers were sent to the 17th Field Ar-
tillery and two to the 23rd Infantry. Up to this
time the battalion had been about 200 men and 15
officers over-strength, due to the returning casuals,
both sick and wounded.
On April 23rd the Regimental Headquarters and
Headquarters Company moved to Honningen to take
the billets vacated by the 12th Field Artillery, leav-
ing this battalion the entire town of Leutesdorf for
billet. The Battalion Headquarters was moved to
the Marienburg estate, the 83rd company moved its
office to the Masberg Hotel and took over the Rhein-
strasse billets vacated by battalion headquarters per-
sonnel. Adjustments of billeting areas by the other
companies to conform to this movement added great-
ly to the comfort of the men.
Orders were received early in June for all units
of the 2nd Division to be ready to march on a twelve
hour notice. Combat allowance of ammunition was
kept ready for loading, the animals were brought
into the best possible condition, practice marches were
held for the hardening of the men and everything
put in readiness for a march eastward should the
Grermans show the slightest indication of a refusal
to sign the peace terms.
122 HISTORY OF THE
At 9 :00 p. m., June ITth. telephonic orders were
received from the Regimental Commander to pre-
pare to move at once. Later orders indicated that
there would be no move before morning but the night
was spent in preparing for the march. Company
Commanders were called to Battalion Headquarters
for a conference and the plan of movement laid be-
fore them. Excess baggage and equipment was packed
B. & R. wagons reporting to all companies to
it was to be left under guard. Men's baggage was
reduced to what they could carry in their packs,
haul excess to the 82nd Company mess hall where
officers stored everything but small bedding or cloth-
ing rolls and every effort was made to prepare the
command for anything that might come. The B. &
R. wagons, after hauling excess baggage to the stor-
age point were sent to the company store-rooms and
offices and loaded with ammunition, reserve )and
field rations and officers' baggage.
Orders were received during th'C morndng that
this battalion would march at 11 :00 a. m. and clear
the town before the arrival of the remainder of the
Regiment. Forming on Rheinstrasse at 10:45 a. m.
the battalion marched promptly at eleven followed
by its train and, at a distance, by the other battal-
ions. A halt was made near Segendorf for one hour
at noon and a hot meal served. Battalion marched
again at 1 :00 p. tn. and despite the fact that men
had been up nearly all night preparing for the move
the march continued in good time and Hardert, the
town selected for billet, was reached about 4:00 p.
THIRD BATTALION 123
m. Although the town was very small all the officers
and about 90 per cent of the men were billeted, the
remainder bivouaclring* in the neighboring fields.
The Regimental Headquarters w^as located at
Rengsdorf, three kilometers away, and the Battalion
Adjutant was sent there in the side-car to get the
preliminary order for the morrow's movement. This
preliminary order was confirmed by the receipt of
complete orders at 11 :00 p. m. requiring this battal-
ion to join Regimental column two kilometers away
at 7 :30 a. m. the following day. Reveille w^as set for
4:45 and the battalion arrived at the meeting point
in ample time to take its place in the column between
the 2nd and first battalions. Four trucks reported
at Hardert at 6 :00 a. m. and were assigned to the
four companies to carry the men's packs. The entire
Regiment marched in combat packs and much better
marching time was made than on the previous day,
the head of the regiment arriving in Herschbach,
near the bridgehead perimeter, at 3 :00 p. m. As
there was only billeting space for one battalion in
the town, the 2nd battalion was billeted and the re-
mainder of the Regiment bivouacked in the fields at
the edge of town.
The Regiment remained here until PEACE was
signed at 3 :14 p. m. June 28th. A program of close
order, practice marches and ceremonies was held here,
the large space available for drill grounds making
it practicable for the entire Regiment to drill to-
gether. The band played on the field for an hour
every morning in order to give the troops practice
124 HISTORY OP THE
in inarching to music and in addition a Regimental
parade was held every afternoon that the weather
permitted. Frequent rain interfered with the drill
program somewhat and made the bivouac rather un-
comfortable but everything possible was done to add
to the comfort and relieve the monotony of the troops.
The Regimental entertainment troupe gave several
evenings' entertainment on the field, the band gave
nightly concerts and an occasional moving picture
or **Y'* troupe aided in the entertainment.
Orders were received the evening of the 28th that
the Regiment would march the following day, the
first unit clearing Herschbach at 7 :00 a. m., following
the Fifth Regiment which was to return to its for-
mer area in one day. The Sixth Regiment divided
the return trip into two parts, bivouacking on the
Gladbach rifle range the night of the 29th and march-
ing to its area the 30th, this battalion arriving in
Leutesdorf at 10:30 a. m., after leaving Gladbach
at 7:00 a. m. as the last battalion in the Regimental
column.
Upon arrival in Leutesdorf troops immediately re-
turned to billets formerly occupied and the usual
activities prevailed again. The training period was
almost exclusively devoted to close order and cere-
monial drill to prepare for the parades and reviews
that were likely to occur in the United States.
All officers and men on detached duty in the Third
Army were ordered to rejoin their organizations for
preparation to return home. This order brought all
our officers and men with the engineers, men from
THIRD BATTALION 125
the Amaroc News (The Third Army Newspaper),
the Second Division "Indian" and all other special
duty assignments. Colonel Lee received some very
fine letters of commendation from the Commanding
Officer of the Second Engineers and the various
battalion and company commanders for the work per-
formed by the Marines while attached to the En-
gineer Regiment.
Orders were received July 4th, turning the Divi-
sion over to the S. 0. S. for preparation for return
to the United States. Ammunition was turned in
July 6th, all excess property was turned in between
that date and the 16th, and the command put in the
best possible shape for the journey. On July llth
all animals and all of the transportation except the
rolling kitchens, were taken to Sinzig and turned in,
the rations being delivered by motor truck from
thence forth.
At 6:45 a. m., July 19, 1919, the anniversary of
the attack of this Regiment near Soissons, the bat-
talion marched out of Leutesdorf to the entraining
point at Rheinbrohl where bedsacks were filled with
cork shavings, cars loaded and all preparations made
for the maximum comfort during the three day jour-
ney to Brest.
Leaving Rheinbrohl at 12:08 p. m. the battalion
train with Major George A. Stowell in command,
moved out, passed through Leutesdorf then south to
the Engers bridge, crossed to the yards at Coblenz-
Lutzel, was switched to the northbound track and
started for Brest. The route taken was the one fol-
126 HISTORY OF THE
lowed by tlie German army in 1914: Cologne, Aix-
la Chapelle, Liege, Namnr, Valenciennes, Arras, Al-
bert, Amiens, Rouen ; thence via Alencon, Laval, Ren-
nes and Morliaix to Brest.
Arriving at Brest at 7 :20 a. m. the 22nd, the Bat-
talion detrained, was met by debarkation officers
and guides and conducted to mess halls for breakfast
and marched to Camp Pontanezen for billet and
preparation for embarkation.
At Pontanezen the Passenger Lists were made up,
a final requisition for emergency clothing and equip-
m.ent was filled, men were deloused, given physical
and pack inspection, French money collected and
changed for American currency, dogs were deloused
and given health certificates and the Battalion pro-
nounced ready to go.
At 6:00 a. m. Sunday, July 27th, the Battalion
marched from its billets, followed in column by the
Headquarters Company and the 73rd Machine Gun
Company, bound for the docks. After being
checked through the gates aboard the waiting lighter,
we moved out into the harbor, drew alongside the
one-stacker, U. S. S. Wilhelmina, and marched the
troops aboard. The baggage and troops all loaded,
the "Wilhelmina weighed anchor at 1 :55 p. m. and
pushed out into the North Atlantic HOMEWARD
BOUND ! ! !
Making an average of about 355 miles per day
with only one day of rough sea the Fire Island Light
was sighted at 2:51 p. m., August 5th. Ambrose
Light was passed at 4:57 p. m. The pilot, bringing
THIRD BATTALION 127
New York newspapers telling of the coming parade,
was taken aboard and the Wilhelmina picked her
way slowly up Ambrose channel into the North
River, where she anchored off Weehawken, N. J., at
7 :30 p. m. Reveille was sounded at 4 :30 the next
morning", breakfast was served at 5 and the troops
were ready to disembark when the ship was shoved
in alongside pier 15, Hoboken, N. J., at 7 :00 a. m.
Companies were formed and check roll call held on
the pier, then the Battalion marched aboard a ferry
boat together with Headquarters Company and the
73rd and was taken down North River, around the
point of Manhattan Island through the East River
to Long Island City, where we disembarked and
boarded Long Island railroad trains for Camp Mills.
Troops were given cake, ice cream, oranges, cigarettes,
etc., by the Red Cross and other welfare societies,
both at the pier and before boarding trains. Ar-
riving at Camp Mills, Battalion was met by guides
and taken to barracks. Here men remained until
8:00 p. m., when delousing and inspection began,
the companies passing through in numerical order,
beginning with the 82nd Company at 8 :00 p. m.
and ending with the 97th at 2 :30 a. m. Officers were
given liberty the afternoon of the 6th and 7th. Men
were given liberty after delousing and inspection
"Wednesday night until 9 :0O a. m. Thursday and from
noon to 9 :00 p. m. Thursday.
Friday morning the Battalion left Camp Mills at
11 o'clock for parade in New York. The uniform
included combat packs, helmets, blouses and arms
128 HISTORY OF THE
with slickers and mess gear and one cooked meal
carried in the pack. Detrained at Long Island City,
took ferry to East Tenth street, New York, and
then marched, following the First Battalion at 100
yards, west on Tenth street to University Place,
south to Ninth street and west to Fifth avenue. The
entire Regiment formed in the block on Ninth
street between Fourth and Fifth avenues and re-
mained there until the Fifth Regiment cleared Ninth
street, marching north on Fifth avenue. The Sixth
Regiment then took up the march with the First,
Second and Third Battalions, Headquarters, 73rd and
Supply Companies in the order named. The forma-
tion of each Battalion in line of companies with com-
panies in column of squads (four columns of squads
abreast and closed up), distance between platoons
was sixteen paces, measured from rear guide of one
to leading guide of the next. The parade was reviewed
by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt and
Mayor Hyland, of New York. The reviewing stand
was erected in front of the New York Public Library
at Forty-second street and Fifth avenue. Cheering
crowds lined the avenue from "Washington Square
to 110th street and made the marchers forget that
they had walked two miles before starting the parade
in addition to five miles at attention in the parade
proper. General LeJeune and staff fell out and re-
viewed the Division at 110th street.
Turning west on 116th street the Fourth Brigade
marched to the 129th street ferry slip via St. Nich-
olas and Manhattan avenue and boarded ferry
THIRD BATTALION 129
•'boats for Jersey City. As the battalions passed
through the ferry house mess gear was broken out
and a supper of frankfurters, sauer kraut, ice cream,
pie, milk, cake and oranges was served by the Red
Cross. At Jersey City Pennsylvania terminal the
Brigade was taken to Quantico on thirteen trains
leaving at fifteen minute intervals, the last train
getting out at 12:10 a. m. and arriving at Quantico
at 1 :00 p. m., August 9th.
At Quantico the company office force worked day
and night closing out accounts and making up pay
rolls, while the post quartermaster issued Marine
Corps uniforms, campaign hats and barracks Shoes
to every man.
Tuesday, August 12th, the Battalion entrained at
7:00 a. m. for Washington, arriving at 8:30 a. m.
After marching to position in Regimental column,
men were allowed to fall out and rest until 12 noon
when first call was sounded. The line of march was
from the Peace Monument up Pennsylvania Avenue
to Nineteenth, turning out to the south and return-
ing to the Union Station. The formation was col-
umn of masses with six squads in each platoon. Men
wore combat packs, arms, helmets and blouses.
President Wilson, General March, Major General
Bamett, Major General LeJeune and Assistant Sec-
retary of the Navy Roosevelt, were in the reviewing
stand. After parade Battalion marched to Union
Station and entrained, leaving fifteen minutes ahead
of schedule at 4:00 p. m. and arriving at Quantico
at 5:30 p. m. Demobilization arrangements were
130 HISTORY OF THE
resumed immediately "upon return of the men from
Washin^on and the first elements of the Fifth Reg-
iment were sent out on special trains early "Wednes-
day morning, August 13th, followed by the Sixth in
order, First, Second, Third Battalions, Headquar-
ters, 73rd and supply companies.
At 3 :30 p. m. the train bearing the demobilized
men of the Third Battalion pulled out and the Third
Battalion, Sixth Marines, one of the finest fighting
organizations on the Western front, ceased to be.
FINIS.
HURLBUT PUBLISHING CO.
Des Moines
RETURN TO the circulation desk of any
University of California Library
or to the
NORTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY
BIdg. 400, Richmond Field Station
University of California
Richmond, CA 94804-4698
ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS
2-month loans may be renev\/ed by calling
(415)642-6233
1-year loans may be recharged by bringing books
to NRLF
Renewals and recharges may be made 4 days
prior to due date
DUE AS STAMPED BELOW
J J L Z
f'
^EHT OH ILL
/•^P^ 5199C
JUN 2^ 2004
r, ,
U. 0, BERKELEY
.— t t 1
,— XJ
SENT ON ILL
APR 1 9 2002
y r. BgRKELEY
?
Ml.85161
V'^lt
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
fm
> f i >..•...-.•.«.-* /. f ,,■)..-, .4. •■»/, f,. ..,.->,, 1, .-.',.1^,,,
^#/.
'>'>l/Vfil
•/Vi^ii'^-/..,
"''i//V'
^//^^
::PM#^
ii.-ffffUiiffff
m/'
/ii^.//nun^.
/fiiii.
Live Music
Archive
Librivox
Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland
Museum of Art
Internet
Arcade
Console Living Room
Open Library
American
Libraries
TV News
Understanding
9/11